A Facile Autoxidation of an Allylic Alcohol in Air

Abstract

An (4E,6E)-alkadienyl alcohol which is a solid compound which can be stored at rt, upon dissolving into a suitable solvent undergoes facile autoxidation (4E,6E)-alkadienyl alcohol 1 in air at room temperature. The result is complete decompose leading to a mixture of products, including benzaldehyde (24%) and cinnamaldehyde (29%). Possible mechanistic explanations for the autoxidation are discussed.