Ruthenium(II)-catalyzed oxidation of alcohols by persulfate

Alcohols are oxidized to carbonylic compounds by aqueous persulfate in the presence of catalytic amounts (0.2%) of ruthenium trichloride and of a choice of ruthenium(II) complexes. Secondary alcohols are quantitatively converted to ketones, whereas primary alcohols can be converted to aldehydes with good selectivities. A kinetic investigation suggests a concerted mechanism for the bi-electronic oxygen transfer