Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation
Published on: May 22, 2016
Green, catalytic oxidation of alcohols in water
ten Brink GJ1, Arends, Sheldon
1Laboratory for Organic Chemistry and Catalysis, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL Delft, Netherlands.
Abstract:
Alcohol oxidations are typically performed with stoichiometric reagents that generate heavy-metal waste and are usually run in chlorinated solvents. A water-soluble palladium(II) bathophenanthroline complex is a stable recyclable catalyst for the selective aerobic oxidation of a wide range of alcohols to aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids in a biphasic water-alcohol system. The use of water as a solvent and air as the oxidant makes the reaction interesting from both an economic and environmental point of view.
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation of Alcohols
The process of oxidation in a chemical reaction is observed in any of the three forms:
Fates of Pyruvate
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...
Anoxygenic Photosynthesis
Green Algae
Microbes in Beverage Production
Production of Alcohol

