Catalytic oxidation of alcohols containing heteroatoms with molecular oxygen is usually rather challenging, as transition metal catalysts are easily deactivated by heteroatoms. In contrast to conventional results, herein facile oxidation of 2-pyridinemethanol with dioxgyen was observed over simple vanadium catalysts including VOSO₄ or VO(acac)₂, which seemed much easier than that of benzyl alcohol. 2-Pyridinemethanol could coordinate with the vanadium center, which would promote oxidation of 2-pyridinemethanol itself, rather than deactivate vanadium catalysts. This study would provide a new clue to develop efficient catalysts for transformations of heterocyclic compounds.

含杂原子的醇与分子氧的催化氧化通常颇具挑战性，因为过渡金属催化剂容易被杂原子失活。与常规结果相反，在本文中，在包括VOSO ₄或VO（acac）₂在内的简单钒催化剂上观察到二吡啶甲醇容易地氧化2-吡啶甲醇，这似乎比苯甲醇容易得多。2-吡啶甲醇可以与钒中心配合，从而促进2-吡啶甲醇本身的氧化，而不是使钒催化剂失活。这项研究将为开发有效的杂环化合物转化催化剂提供新的线索。