Abstract
A homogeneous catalyst-free system has been developed for the selective oxidation of alcohols and alkyl benzenes to the corresponding carbonyl compounds using a recyclable TAIm [MnO4] oxidative ionic liquid. The reactions were performed in the presence of previously reported TAIm[MnO4]/ TAIm[OH] ionic liquids and KMnO4 at ambient temperature under solvent-free conditions. Benzyl alcohols were selectively transferred to benzaldehydes, while under ultrasonic or microwave irradiation, they oxidized to benzoic acid selectively and directly. Scalability of the process also studied at high scale. Also, the ionic liquid could be readily recycled from the aqueous mixture and reused for several consecutive times without any pre-treatment and loss of catalytic