A Novel Chromium Trioxide Catalyzed Oxidation of Primary Alcohols to the Carboxylic Acids.

Abstract A novel CrO 3 catalyzed oxidation of primary alcohols to the carboxylic acids is reported. The oxidation proceeds smoothly with only 1–2 mol % of CrO 3 and 2.5 equivalents of H 5 IO 6 in wet MeCN to give the carboxylic acids in excellent yield. No significant racemization is observed for alcohols with adjacent chiral centers. Secondary alcohols are cleanly oxidized to ketones.