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Oxidation Reagents


Reagent Preferred Solvents Functions Oxidized Reaction Work-up
Jones Reagent
H2CrO4
aqueous sulfuric acid & acetone
(avoid acid sensitive systems)
1º-alcohols to carboxylic acids
aldehydes to carboxylic acids
2º-alcohols to ketones
avoid amines and sufides
1) destroy excess reagent
2) extract product
Collins Reagent
CrO3 • 2 C5H5N
methylene chloride
(CH2Cl2)
1º-alcohols to aldehydes
2º-alcohols to ketones
1) filter inorganic salts
2) wash with aqueous acid
3) remove CH2Cl2 solvent
Pyridinium Chlorochromate
ClCrO3 • C5H5NH
methylene chloride
(CH2Cl2)
1º-alcohols to aldehydes
2º-alcohols to ketones
1) filter inorganic salts
2) wash with aqueous acid
3) remove CH2Cl2 solvent
Dimethyl Sulfoxide
(CH3)2S=O &
DCC or Ac2O or (CF3CO)2O
or SO3 or (COCl)2
CH2Cl2 or ethers or DMSO A Mild Procedure
1º-alcohols to aldehydes
2º-alcohols to ketones
1) neutralize reactants
2) remove solvents
Potassium Permanganate
KMnO4



Osmium Tetroxide
OsO4
water and
aqueous solvent mixtures



pyridine
often used catalytically
aldehydes to carboxylic acids
2º-alcohols to ketones
alkenes to vicinal-diols (vic.-glycols)
alkynes to carboxylic acids
avoid amines and sufides

alkenes to vicinal-diols (vic.-glycols)
1) destroy excess reagent
2) extract product
Periodic Acid
HIO4

Lead Tetraacetate
Pb(OCOCH3)4
water or aqueous mixtures


benzene or acetic acid
vic.-glycols to carbonyl compounds


vic.-glycols to carbonyl compounds
1) destroy excess reagent
2) extract product
Peracids
CH3CO3H
C6H5CO3H, etc.
CH2Cl2 or ethers alkenes to epoxides
ketones to esters
avoid amines and sufides
1) destroy excess reagent
2) extract product
Ozone
O3
CH2Cl2 or CHCl3
(sometimes alcohol)
cleaves alkenes & alkynes
avoid benzene derivatives
amines and sufides
1) destroy excess reagent & ozonides
2) extract product