An efficient metal-free oxidation of benzylic alcohols to ­aromatic aldehydes is described. Heating a solution of the benzylic alcohol in DMSO in the presence of H2SO4 afforded the corresponding aldehyde in excellent yield. This oxidation reaction, which proceeds with a short reaction time and no side products, is akin to the Pfitzner–Moffatt oxidation, but without the need for N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide.

No abstract

A metal-free and selective oxidation of benzylic alcohols which leads to the direct and sustainable production of benzaldehydes has been developed. Compared with former known oxidation reactions like Swern, Pfitzner-Moffatt, Parikh-Doering, and Corey-Kim oxidations, this oxidation approach introduces the HCA as an easily available, safer and less expensive reagent, and also because of the simple removing of chloroform. In addition, it is not necessary to add any metal, acid or base for the oxidation of benzylic alcohols. The oxidation is proceeded in DMSO and also under solvent-free conditions in excellent yields.