Metalloenzyme-Inspired Catalysis: Selective Oxidation of Primary Alcohols with an Iridium—Aminyl-Radical Complex

(Chemical Equation Presented) A little goes a long way: An iridium-nitrogen-radical complex is a highly active and selective catalyst for the dehydrogenation (oxidation) of primary alcohols to aldehydes in the presence of the oxidant benzoquinone (see simplified scheme). With only 0.01 mol% of the complex, turnover frequencies of up to 150 000 s-1 are reached. © 2007 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA.