An efficient aerobic oxidation of various organic compounds catalyzed by mixed addenda heteropolyoxometalates containing molybdenum and vanadium

Various organic compounds were oxidized by molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalytic amount of mixed-addenda heteropolyoxometalates containing molybdenum and vanadium. The catalytic activity of the molybdovanadophosphate was found to be greatly enhanced by supporting on charcoal. The supported catalyst has high catalytic activity for oxidative dehydrogenation of benzylic and allylic alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones (46-92%), nevertheless, the non-supported catalyst was inactive for the same oxidations under these conditions. 2,3,6-Trimethylphenol was selectively oxidized to trimethyl-p-benzoquinone, which is a precursor of vitamin E, in the presence of a catalytic amount of molybdovanadophosphate. In addition, the aerobic oxidation of amines, alkyl-substituted phenols, and alkanes were also examined.