Selective synthesis of benzaldehydes by hypochlorite oxidation of benzyl alcohols under phase transfer catalysis

Abstract

The selective synthesis of benazaldehyde and substituted benzaldehydes from corresponding benzyl alcohols has been carried out by using hypochlorite as an oxidant in organic medium under phase transfer catalysis. The reaction is highly selective since no traces of benzoic acid or substituted benzoic acids have been detected and the yield is found to be more than 90%. The products obtained were precipitated as 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone and the recrystallised products were characterized by melting point and by spectrophotometric techniques like infra red and UV-Visible analysis.