Mild oxidation of allylic and benzylic alcohols with 5-arylidene barbituric acid derivatives as a model of redox coenzymes

Under neutral conditions 5-arylidene 1, 3-dimethylbarbituric acid effectively oxidizes allylic and benzylic alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds.There is a close relationship between oxidizing ability and electron density on the aromatic ring. The mechanism of this oxidation involves hydride transfer from the alcohol.