Generation of alkyl hypochlorites in oxidation of alcohols with carbon tetrachloride catalyzed by vanadium and manganese compounds

Primary alcohols and diols with various structures were subjected to transformations into esters, aldehydes, ketones, and lactones under the action of carbon tetrachloride in the presence of manganese compounds (MnCl2, MnO2, Mn(OAc)(2), Mn(acac)(3)) and vanadium compounds (VCl5, V2O5, VO(acac)(2)) as catalysts. These transformation proceeded with the involvement of alkyl hypochlorites, which were generated in the course of oxidation of alcohols with carbon tetrachloride catalyzed by manganese or vanadium compounds. The optimum molar ratios between the catalyst and reagents were determined, and the reaction conditions for the highly selective synthesis of esters, aldehydes, ketones, and lactones from alcohols were found.