Electronic, steric, and temperature effects in the Pd(II)-biquinoline catalyzed aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols in water

The Pd-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of various benzyl alcohol derivatives was investigated. Product selectivity is highly dependent on the nature and position of the substituents on the alcohol as well as the level of catalyst loading. An examination of electronic effects reveals that electron-donating substituents increase the reaction rate. The temperature dependence of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol oxidation was also evaluated.