Catalysis and phase transfer in oxidation of benzyl alcohol with hydrogen peroxide

Oxidation of benzyl alcohol with hydrogen peroxide was performed in a bi- o r triphase system. Quaternary salts, crown-ethers or polyethyleneglycols as phase-transfer catalysts and ruthenium compounds (RuO2, RuCl3 anhydrous or hydrated) as co-catalysts were used. The obtained results emphasized the c atalytic effects on the conversion and selectivity of the phase transfer pr ocess. The catalytic and phase-transfer processes which take place were pre sented. Effects of the catalysts and the co-catalysts, the temperature, the concentration of benzyl alcohol and the pH were also investigated.