Controlled Generation of Aldehydes or Carboxylic Acids Driven by Mn-Doped NiO.

Controlling the oxidation of alcohols to form aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids is a fundamental reaction in organic synthesis. This paper reports a method for oxidizing alcohols using chemically modified electrodes, where the reaction environment is altered to control the product formation. This approach is characterized by its green and mild nature, eliminating the need for oxidizing agents and offering simple operation while achieving high yields and good functional group tolerance. A series of control experiments elucidated the mechanism for this reaction.