Designing Cobalt(II) Complex for Chemoselective Synthesis of 2-Aryl-3-Formyl Indoles from Amino Alcohols and Alcohols†

An air-stable, inexpensive, and isolable cobalt(II) complex (C1) of N-((1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl)-2-(phenylselanyl)ethan amine (L1) was synthesized and characterized. The complex was used to catalyze a one-pot cascade reaction between 2-(2-aminophenyl)ethanols and benzyl alcohol derivatives. Interestingly, 2-aryl-3-formylindole derivatives were formed instead of N-alkylated or C-3 alkylated indoles. A broad substrate scope can be activated using this protocol with only 5.0 mol % catalyst loading to achieve up to 87 % yield of 2-aryl-3-formylindole derivatives. The mechanistic studies suggested that the reaction proceeds through tandem imine formation followed by cyclization.

Regulation of Catalyst Immediate Environment Enables Acidic Electrochemical Benzyl Alcohol Oxidation to Benzaldehyde

Electrocatalytic alcohol oxidation in acid offers a promising alternative to the kinetically sluggish water oxidation reaction toward low-energy H2 generation. However, electrocatalysts driving active and selective acidic alcohol electrochemical transformation are still scarce. In this work, we demonstrate efficient alcohol-to-aldehyde conversion achieved by reticular chemistry-based modification of the catalyst's immediate environment. Specifically, coating a Bi-based electrocatalyst with a thin layer of metal-organic framework (MOF) substantially improves its performance toward benzyl alcohol electro-oxidation to benzaldehyde in a 0.1 M H2SO4 electrolyte. Detailed analysis reveals that the MOF adlayer influences catalysis by increasing the reactivity of surface hydroxides as well as weakening the catalyst-benzaldehyde binding strength. In turn, low-potential (0.65 V) cathodic H2 evolution was obtained through coupling it with anodic benzyl alcohol electro-oxidation. Consequently, the presented approach could be implemented in a wide range of electrocatalytic oxidation reactions for energy-conversion application.

Recent Advances in Reversible Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier Systems: From Hydrogen Carriers to Catalysts

Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) have gained significant attention for large-scale hydrogen storage due to their remarkable gravimetric hydrogen storage capacity (HSC) and compatibility with existing oil and gas transportation networks for long-distance transport. However, the practical application of reversible LOHC systems has been constrained by the intrinsic thermodynamic properties of hydrogen carriers and the performances of associated catalysts in the (de)hydrogenation cycles. To overcome these challenges, thermodynamically favored carriers, high-performance catalysts, and catalytic procedures need to be developed. Here, significant advances in recent years have been summarized, primarily centered on regular LOHC systems catalyzed by homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, including dehydrogenative aromatization of cycloalkanes to arenes and N-heterocyclics to N-heteroarenes, as well as reverse hydrogenation processes. Furthermore, with the development of metal complexes for dehydrogenative coupling, a new family of reversible LOHC systems based on alcohols is described that can release H2 under relatively mild conditions. Finally, views on the next steps and challenges in the field of LOHC technology are provided, emphasizing new resources for low-cost hydrogen carriers, high-performance catalysts, catalytic technologies, and application scenarios.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Self-Coupling of Secondary Alcohols

A simple catalytic method for self-coupling of secondary alcohols leading to the synthesis of β-branched ketones under mild conditions is reported. Well-defined ruthenium pincer complex catalyzed the reactions. Optimization studies revealed that sodium tert-butoxide is an appropriate base for this transformation. Functionalized aryl methanols, heteroaryl methanols, and linear and branched aliphatic secondary alcohols underwent facile catalytic self-coupling reactions. Mechanistic studies revealed that both catalyst and base are crucial to achieve dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols to ketones, their subsequent controlled aldol condensation, and further hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated intermediates, leading to the selective formation of β-branched ketone products. Notably, the noninnocent PNP ligand which displays amine-amide metal-ligand cooperation operative in a catalyst played a key role in facilitating this catalytic self-coupling of secondary alcohols. Liberated molecular hydrogen and water are the only byproducts.

Advances in the greener synthesis of chromopyrimidine derivatives by a multicomponent tandem oxidation process

A hydrophilic cobalt/copper heterogeneous bimetallic catalyst named mTEG-CS-Co/Cu-Schiff-base/IL was successfully synthesized from chitosan polysaccharide. The new catalyst was investigated and confirmed using various techniques including FT-IR, FE-SEM, EDX-EDS, XRD, TEM, TGA, AFM, NMR and ICP. The catalyst exhibited powerful catalyst activity for the tandem one pot oxidative chromopyrimidine reaction from benzyl alcohols under mild conditions, utilizing air as a clean source in a green protocol. The catalyst was compatible with a wide range of benzyl alcohols, and aldehydes formed in situ, and bis-aldehydes synthesized were condensed with urea/4‑hydroxycumarin to provide favorable products in good yields for all derivatives (14 new derivatives). The presence of tri-ethylene glycol and imidazolium moieties with hydrophilic properties on the mTEG-CS-Co/Cu-Schiff-base/IL nanohybrid provides dispersion of the nanohybrid particles in water, leading to higher catalytic performance. Furthermore, the reaction exhibited several other notable features, including low catalyst loading, the ability to be recycled for up to 6 stages, high atom economy, a simple work procedure, short reaction time, utilization of an environmentally friendly nanohybrid, and the replacement of volatile and organic solvents with water solvent.

A Bench-stable 8-Aminoquinoline Derived Phosphine-free Manganese (I)-Catalyst for Environmentally Benign C(α)-Alkylation of Oxindoles with Secondary and Primary Alcohols

Herein, we report a new air-stable phosphine-free 8-AQ (8-aminoquinoline) based Mn(I) carbonyl complex as the catalyst for the C(α)-alkylation of oxindoles with alcohols. The Mn complex [(8-AQ)Mn(CO)₃ Br] works effectively as a catalyst for the α-alkylation of oxindoles by both secondary as well as primary alcohols. The procedure has been used for the synthesis of pharmaceutically important recently developed oxindoles such as 3-(4-methoxybenzyl)indolin-2-one, 3-(4-(dimethylamino)benzyl)indolin-2-one, 3-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-5-fluoroindolin-2-one and 3-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl)indolin-2-one, which are found to be effective in preventing specific types of cell death in neurodegenerative disorders. Control experiments have been carried out to investigate the reaction mechanism and the crucial role of metal-ligand cooperation via -NH₂ moiety during catalysis.

Ruthenium-catalysed α-prenylation of ketones using prenol

Prenol and isoprenoids are common structural motifs in biological systems and possess diverse applications. An unprecedented direct catalytic prenylation of ketones using prenol is attained. This C-C bond formation reaction requires only a ruthenium pincer catalyst and a base, and H₂O is the only byproduct.

C-Heterogenized Re Nanoparticles as Effective Catalysts for the Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol and Oxidation of 1-Phenylethanol

Rhenium nanoparticles (Re NPs) supported on Norit (activated carbon—C) and graphene (G) were prepared by a solvothermal method under microwave irradiation (MW). The synthesised heterogeneous catalysts were characterised and tested as reduction and oxidation catalysts, highlighting their dual catalytic behaviour. In the first case, they were used, for the first time, to reduce 4-nitrophenol, in aqueous medium, under MW irradiation. Re catalysts were easily recovered by centrifugation and recycled up to six times without significant activity loss. However, the same Re catalysts in MW-assisted oxidation of 1-phenylethanol with no added solvent experienced a significant loss of activity when recycled. The higher activity of the rhenium nanoparticles supported on graphene (Re/G) catalyst in both reactions was assigned to the higher dispersion and smaller particle size of Re NPs when graphene is the support.

A novel base-metal multifunctional catalyst for the synthesis of 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-chromenes by a multicomponent tandem oxidation process

A novel base-metal multifunctional nanomagnetic catalyst is prepared by the immobilization of tungstate anions onto γ-Fe₂O₃ supported with imidazolium moieties. The (γ-Fe₂O₃-Im-Py)₂WO₄ was fully characterized using FT-IR, XPS, TEM, FESEM, ICP, TGA, VSM and XRD and used as a multifunctional heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-chromenes via a multicomponent tandem oxidation process starting from alcohols under solvent-free conditions. During this process, tungstate catalyzes the oxidation of a wide range of alcohols in the presence of TBHP as a clean source. The in-situ formed aldehydes are condensed with malononitrile and β-dicarbonyl compounds/naphthols/4-hydroxycumarin through promotion by pyridine and imidazolium moieties of the catalyst. By this method, a variety of 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-chromenes are generated in good to high yields from alcohols as inexpensive and easily available starting materials. The catalyst is recovered easily by the aid of an external magnetic field and reused in five successive runs with insignificant decreasing activity.

Manganese(I) Catalyzed α-Alkenylation of Amides Using Alcohols with Liberation of Hydrogen and Water

Herein, unprecedented manganese-catalyzed direct α-alkenylation of amides using alcohols is reported. Aryl amides are reacted with diverse primary alcohols, which provided the α,β-unsaturated amides in moderate to good yields with excellent selectivity. Mechanistic studies indicate that Mn(I) catalyst oxidizes the alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes and also plays an important role in efficient C═C bond formation through aldol condensation. This selective olefination is facilitated by metal-ligand cooperation by the aromatization-dearomatization process operating in the catalytic system. Biorenewable alcohols are used as alkenylation reagents for the challenging α-alkenylation of amides with the highly abundant base metal manganese as a catalyst, which results in water and dihydrogen as the only byproduct, making this catalytic transformation attractive, sustainable, and environmentally benign.

In situ supported Pd NPs on biodegradable chitosan/agarose modified magnetic nanoparticles as an effective catalyst for the ultrasound assisted oxidation of alcohols and activities against human breast cancer

In this content, a green approach for the ultrasound promoted in situ immobilization of Pd NPs over biodegradable chitosan/agarose modified ferrite NP (Fe₃O₄@CS-Agarose/Pd) is developed. The structural and physicochemical features of the material were estimated using advanced analytical techniques like FT-IR, ICP-OES, FESEM, EDS, XRD, TEM and VSM. The magnetic material was catalytically explored in the oxidation of alcohols under ultrasonic waves. Sonication had a significant role in enhancing the catalytic performance in the alcohol's oxidation as compared to conventional heating. The heterogeneous nanocatalyst was efficiently recycled up to 10 times with nominal loss in catalytic activity. Towards the biological applications, the Fe₃O₄@CS-Agarose/Pd nanocomposite showed high antioxidant activities against DPPH free radicals, comparable to standard butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). In addition, it exhibited excellent cytotoxicity in terms of % cell viability against breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7), breast carcinoma (Hs 578Bst), infiltrating ductal cell carcinoma (Hs 319.T), and metastatic carcinoma (MDA-MB-453) cell lines. The best anti-breast cancer potential of the nanocomposite was observed in Hs 319.T cell line.

A new porous Co(ii)-metal–organic framework for high sorption selectivity and affinity to CO2 and efficient catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohols to benzaldehydes

A new porous Co(ii)-MOF I has been prepared. Gas sorption and catalytic experiments show that the guest-free sample I′ shows the high capacity and selectivity to CO₂ over CH₄ and catalytically oxidize benzyl alcohols efficiently into benzaldehydes.

Ruthenium-Catalyzed α-Alkylation of Ketones Using Secondary Alcohols to β-Disubstituted Ketones

An assortment of aromatic ketones was successfully functionalized with a variety of unactivated secondary alcohols that serve as alkylating agents, providing β-disubstituted ketone products in good to excellent yields. Remarkably, challenging substrates such as simple acetophenone derivatives are effectively alkylated under this ruthenium catalysis. The substituted cyclohexanol compounds displayed product-induced diastereoselectivity. Mechanistic studies indicate the involvement of the hydrogen-borrowing pathway in these alkylation reactions. Notably, this selective and catalytic C-C bond-forming reaction requires only a minimal load of catalyst and base and produces H₂O as the only byproduct, making this protocol attractive and environmentally benign.

Electrochemical asymmetric synthesis of biologically active substances

Electrically driven oxidation and reduction reactions are well-established methods for synthesis even in the chemical industry, but asymmetric versions are still few. The mild conditions used, atom efficiency and low cost make these reactions a very attractive alternative to other methods of synthesis. Very fine tuning can be achieved based on minute changes in potentials, allowing only one functional group in a molecule to react in the presence of several others, which is ideal for applications in total synthesis. In this review, the literature in the field of asymmetric synthesis of biologically active substances over the last 10 years is surveyed.

Direct Catalytic Symmetrical, Unsymmetrical N,N-Dialkylation and Cyclization of Acylhydrazides Using Alcohols

Herein, direct N,N-dialkylation of acylhydrazides using alcohols is reported. This catalytic protocol provides one-pot synthesis of both symmetrical and unsymmetrical N,N-disubstituted acylhydrazides using an assortment of primary and secondary alcohols with remarkable selectivity and excellent yields. Interestingly, the use of diols resulted in intermolecular cyclization of acylhydrazides, and such products are privileged structures in biologically active compounds. Water is the only byproduct, which makes this catalytic protocol sustainable and environmentally benign.

Supported Cobalt Catalysts for Acceptorless Alcohol Dehydrogenation

The acceptor-less dehydrogenation of 2-octanol was tested over cobalt supported on Al₂ O₃ , C, ZnO, ZrO₂ and various TiO₂ substrates. The catalysts were characterized by ICP, XRD and TGA-H₂ . For Co/TiO₂ P25, the effects of passivation, aging (storage at room temperature), and in situ activation under H₂ were investigated. The catalysts must be tested shortly after synthesis in order to prevent deactivation. Cobalt supported on TiO₂ P25 was the most active and 69 % yield of 2-octanone was obtained, using decane as a solvent. Selectivities for 2-octanone were observed in the range of 90 % to 99.9 %. Small amounts of C16 compounds were also formed due to aldol condensation/dehydration reactions. The catalysts exhibited higher conversion in the dehydrogenation of secondary alcohols (65-69 %), in comparison to primary alcohols (2-10 %). The dehydrogenation of 1,2-octanediol led to 1-hydroxy-2-octanone, with a selectivity of 90 % and 69 % for Co/TiO₂ P25 and Co/TiO₂ P90, respectively.

Synthesis, Structures, Electrochemistry, and Catalytic Activity towards Cyclohexanol Oxidation of Mono-, Di-, and Polynuclear Iron(III) Complexes with 3-Amino-2-Pyrazinecarboxylate

The synthesis and characterization of a set of iron(III) complexes, viz. the mononuclear [Fe(L)3] (1) and [NHEt3][Fe(L)2(Cl)2] (2), the dinuclear methoxido-bridged [Fe(L)2(μ-OMe)]2.DMF.1.5MeOH (3), and the heteronuclear Fe(III)/Na(I) two-dimensional coordination polymer [Fe(N3)(μ-L)2(μ-O)1/2(Na)(μ-H2O)1/2]n (4), are reported. Reactions of 3-amino-2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid (HL) with iron(III) chloride under different reaction conditions were studied, and the obtained compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Compound 1 is a neutral mononuclear complex, whereas 2 is mono-anionic with its charge being neutralized by triethylammonium cation. Compounds 3 and 4 display a di-methoxido-bridged dinuclear complex and a two-dimensional heterometallic Fe(III)/Na(I) polynuclear coordination polymer, respectively. Compounds 3 and 4 are the first examples of methoxido- and oxido-bridged iron(III) complexes, respectively, with 3-amino-2-pyrazinecarboxylate ligands. The electrochemical study of these compounds reveals a facile single-electron reversible Fe(III)-to-Fe(II) reduction at a positive potential of 0.08V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE), which is in line with their ability to act as efficient oxidants and heterogeneous catalysts for the solvent-free microwave-assisted peroxidative oxidation (with tert-butyl hydroperoxide) of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone (almost quantitative yields after 1 h). Moreover, the catalysts are easily recovered and reused for five consecutive cycles, maintaining a high activity and selectivity.

Ferraria A, M. Botelho do Rego A, Correia LMM, Saraiva MS, Pombeiro AJL. Ultrasound and Radiation-Induced Catalytic Oxidation of 1-Phenylethanol to Acetophenone with Iron-Containing Particulate Catalysts

Iron-containing particulate catalysts of 0.1–1 µm size were prepared by wet and ball-milling procedures from common salts and characterized by FTIR, TGA, UV-Vis, PXRD, FEG-SEM, and XPS analyses. It was found that when the wet method was used, semi-spherical magnetic nanoparticles were formed, whereas the mechanochemical method resulted in the formation of nonmagnetic microscale needles and rectangles. Catalytic activity of the prepared materials in the oxidation of 1-phenylethanol to acetophenone was assessed under conventional heating, microwave (MW) irradiation, ultrasound (US), and oscillating magnetic field of high frequency (induction heating). In general, the catalysts obtained by wet methods exhibit lower activities, whereas the materials prepared by ball milling afford better acetophenone yields (up to 83%). A significant increase in yield (up to 4 times) was observed under the induction heating if compared to conventional heating. The study demonstrated that MW, US irradiations, and induction heating may have great potential as alternative ways to activate the catalytic system for alcohol oxidation. The possibility of the synthesized material to be magnetically recoverable has been also verified.

α-Alkylation of Ketones with Secondary Alcohols Catalyzed by Well-Defined Cp*CoIII -Complexes

Although α-alkylation of ketones with primary alcohols by transition-metal catalysis is well-known, the same process with secondary alcohols is arduous and complicated by self-condensation. Herein a well-defined, high-valence cobalt(III)-catalyst was applied for successful α-alkylation of ketones with secondary alcohols. A wide-variety of secondary alcohols, which include cyclic, acyclic, symmetrical, and unsymmetrical compounds, was employed as alkylating agents to produce β-alkyl aryl ketones.

Manganese(I)-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Ketones and Secondary Alcohols with Primary Alcohols

Catalytic cross-coupling of ketones and secondary alcohols with primary alcohols is reported. An abundant manganese-based pincer catalyst catalyzes the reactions. Low loading of catalyst (2 mol %) and catalytic use of a mild base (5-10 mol %) are sufficient for efficient cross-coupling. Various aryl and heteroaryl ketones are catalytically cross-coupled with primary alcohols to provide the selective α-alkylated products. Challenging α-ethylation of ketones is also attained using ethanol as an alkylating reagent. Further, direct use of secondary alcohols in the reaction results in in situ oxidation to provide the ketone intermediates, which undergo selective α-alkylation. The reaction proceeds via the borrowing hydrogen pathway. The catalyst oxidizes the primary alcohols to aldehydes, which undergo subsequent aldol condensation with ketones, promoted by catalytic amount of Cs₂CO₃, to provide the α,β-unsaturated ketone intermediates. The hydrogen liberated from oxidation of alcohols is used for hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated ketone intermediates. Notably either water or water and dihydrogen are the only byproducts in these environmentally benign catalytic processes. Mechanistic studies allowed inferring all of the intermediates involved. Dearomatization-aromatization metal-ligand cooperation in the catalyst facilitates the facile O-H bond activation of both primary and secondary alcohols, and the resultant manganese alkoxide complexes produce corresponding carbonyl compounds, perhaps via β-hydride elimination. The manganese(I) hydride intermediate plays dual role as it hydrogenates α,β-unsaturated ketones and liberates molecular hydrogen to regenerate the catalytically active dearomatized intermediate. Metal-ligand cooperation allows all of the manganese intermediates to exist in same oxidation state (+1) and plays an important role in these catalytic cross-coupling reactions.

Direct electrochemical oxidation of alcohols with hydrogen evolution in continuous-flow reactor

Alcohol oxidation reactions are widely used for the preparation of aldehydes and ketones. The electrolysis of alcohols to carbonyl compounds have been underutilized owing to low efficiency. Herein, we report an electrochemical oxidation of various alcohols in a continuous-flow reactor without external oxidants, base or mediators. The robust electrochemical oxidation is performed for a variety of alcohols with good functional group tolerance, high efficiency and atom economy, whereas mechanistic studies support the benzylic radical intermediate formation and hydrogen evolution. The electrochemical oxidation proves viable on diols with excellent levels of selectivity for the benzylic position.

Copper-catalyzed three-component reaction of N-heteroaryl aldehydes, nitriles, and water

An efficient and straightforward method for the synthesis of N-heteroaroyl imides has been successfully developed involving a copper-catalyzed radical-triggered three-component reaction of N-heteroaryl aldehydes, nitriles, and water. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction may undergo a radical-triggered Ritter-type reaction in which water serves as the oxygen source for the formation of the C-O bond. The reaction has advantages such as a broad substrate scope for the N-heteroaryl aldehydes, atom economy, and simple operation.

Ruthenium(ii)-catalysed direct synthesis of ketazines using secondary alcohols

Direct one-pot synthesis of ketazines from secondary alcohols and hydrazine hydrate catalyzed by a ruthenium pincer complex is reported, which proceeds through O-H bond activation of secondary alcohols via amine-amide metal-ligand cooperation in the catalyst. Remarkably, liberated molecular hydrogen and water are the only byproducts.

Synergistic catalytic action of vanadia–titania composites towards the microwave-assisted benzoin oxidation

Application of synergistic effects is among the main ways to boost chemical efficiency.

Fe3O4@l-Proline/Pd nanocomposite for one-pot tandem catalytic synthesis of (±)-warfarin from benzyl alcohol: synergistic action of organocatalyst and transition metal catalyst

One-pot synthesis of (±)-warfarin from scratch! The reported catalytic nanocomposite can carry out 3-way catalysis, namely, oxidation, aldol condensation and Michael addition, in a tandem fashion in PEG-400 and water as 'green' reaction media.

Efficient bifunctional reactivity of K-doped CrO(OH) nanosheets: exploiting the combined role of Cr(iii) and surface –OH groups in tandem catalysis

Layered K-α-CrO(OH) nanosheets as a non-noble metal based tandem catalyst for sequential oxidation and coupling/condensation reactions.

Nanoporous Aluminosilicate-Catalyzed Telescoped Acetalization-Direct Aldol Reactions of Acetals with 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds

Nanoporous aluminosilicate materials, synthesized by an evaporation-induced self-assembly process, catalyze the direct aldol reaction of acyclic acetals with a range of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to produce the corresponding aldol addition products in high yield, rather than the expected Knoevenagel elimination products. By carrying out the reaction in the presence of either dimethoxy propane or the corresponding orthoester, it is possible to capitalize on the ability of these aluminosilicate materials to catalyze the corresponding acetalization reaction leading to the development of novel telescoped, acetalization-direct aldol addition reaction protocols.

Development of efficient one-pot three-component assembly of trityl olmesartan medoxomil

We have elaborated a one-pot three-component assembly of trityl olmesartan medoxomil starting from commercially available ethyl 4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2-propyl-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate, 5-(4'-(bromomethyl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)-1-trityl-1H-tetrazole and 4-(chloromethyl)-5-methyl-1,3-dioxol-2-one intermediates. The developed and optimized one-pot process provides 72-75% yield of trityl olmesartan medoxomil over three steps, which represents in average ca. 90% yield per synthetic step, on a 300 g scale. The process is conducted in simple fashion and provides highly pure trityl olmesartan medoxomil (up to 97.5% by HPLC), which can be easily converted to olmesartan medoxomil that fully complies with all ICH requirements. Furthermore, the described process significantly improves the primary process to trityl olmesartan medoxomil by drastic reduction of required unit operations and application of single reaction solvent through the reaction sequence. Moreover, the amount of used organic solvents was notably reduced. The developed process has provided solid bases for industrial production of trityl olmesartan medoxomil.

Platinum-Based Heterogeneous Catalysts for Nitrile Synthesis via Aerobic Oxidative Coupling of Alcohols and Ammonia

Transition-metal-catalyzed aerobic oxidative coupling of alcohols and ammonia represents an attractive atom-economical synthetic route to prepare nitriles. Heterogeneous platinum catalysts have been widely used for aerobic alcohol oxidation to aldehydes and carboxylic acids but have not been applied to nitrile synthesis. In this work, we show that carbon-supported Pt catalysts are effective for this transformation. Unpromoted Pt is competent with benzylic substrates bearing either electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituents. Use of both K₂CO₃ and Bi additives accelerates the rate of alcohol oxidation and affords high yields with challenging heterocyclic alcohols.