Method for the oxidation of vicinal diols, including carbohydrates

摘要

A method is described for the oxidation of vicinal diols, including carbohydrates, to dicarboxy compounds by reaction of the diol in an aqueous medium with hydrogen peroxide or via an electrochemical route, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a transition metal salt. Oxidation with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of an alkali metal halide, alkaline earth metal halide or ammonium halide is also described.