Selective Oxidation of Benzoins with Potassium Dichromate Under Viscous Conditions

An efficient procedure for oxidation of benzoins to corresponding benzils using potassium dichromate under viscous conditions at room temperature is described. The procedure can overcome the problems existed in the common solvent-free reactions of the difficulty for the solid molecular collision to react. The present oxidations are completed within 3 hours with the yield between 86–97%.