Iodine(V)/ruthenium(III)-cocatalyzed oxidations: A highly efficient tandem catalytic system for the oxidation of alcohols and hydrocarbons with oxone

An extremely mild and efficient tandem catalytic system for the oxidation of alcohols and hydrocarbons based on Ru(III)-catalyzed reoxidation of ArIO to ArIO₂ was reported, by using Oxone as a stoichiometric oxidant. Oxone was added to a mixture of propylbenzene, PhI, and RuCl₃ in acetonitrile and water in five portions over 22 h under stirring at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred for an additional 4 h and was monitored by TLC by the disappearance of propylbenzene. Then ethyl acetate and water were added and the mixture was stirred for 5 mm. The organic solution was separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phases were combined, washed with NaCl, and dried over Na₂SO ₄. The oxidation of the other hydrocarbons was performed by using a similar procedure. The use of smaller amounts of Oxone led to incomplete conversion owing to its noticeable decomposition with loss of oxygen gas under reaction conditions.