A novel heterogeneous method for clean and selective oxidation of alcohols to the aldehydes and ketones
using tetrabutylammonium peroxomonosulfate (n-Bu4NHSO5) in neat water catalyzed by simple Fe (III)
and Mn (III) meso-tetraphenylporphyrin as a water-insoluble catalyst has been developed. The oxidation
system proceeds well in the absence of organic co-solvents and surfactants. The presence of an electrondonating
group on the phenyl ring of benzyl alcohol increases the reactivity of substrate. The catalysts could easily
be recycled and reused without noticeable loss of activity and the oxidant's by-product (n-Bu4NHSO4) could also
be recycled.