Silica Nanoparticles Decorated with Polymeric Sulfonic Acids Trigger Selective Oxidation of Benzylic Methylenes to Aldehydic and Ketonic Carbonyls

The controlled dispersion of polymeric sulfonic acids on suitable heterogeneous supports paves the way to a new catalytic method for the oxidation of a variety of benzylic methylenes to the corresponding carbonyls by using hydrogen peroxide; narrowly dispersed silica nanoparticles covered by fluorinated sulfonic acids ionomers allow selective oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde, minimizing undesired side reactions and formation of wastes.