A 2-iodobenzamide catalyst for oxidation of alcohols at room temperature

A 2-iodobenzamide catalyst for the oxidation of alcohols was developed. Reaction of alcohols with a catalytic amount of 2-iodobenzamide in the presence of oxone as a co-oxidant at room temperature gave the corresponding carbonyl compounds in excellent yields. Primary alcohols were directly converted into the corresponding carboxylic acids, whereas secondary alcohols were oxidized to ketones. A 2-iodobenzoic acid-type catalyst for alcohol oxidation at room temperature has not been reported before.