What is saegusa oxidation?

Saegusa Oxidation is a chemical reaction that involves the oxidation of alcohols to ketones or aldehydes. The reaction is named after the Japanese chemist Ryoji Saegusa, who first discovered and reported this reaction in 1976.

The Saegusa reaction is a convenient method for the preparation of ketones and aldehydes from primary and secondary alcohols. The reaction is carried out using a catalytic amount of a ruthenium-based catalyst in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP).

The reaction mechanism involves the abstraction of a hydrogen atom from the alcohol by the ruthenium catalyst, followed by oxygen transfer from the oxidizing agent to the alcohol intermediate, leading to the formation of the ketone or aldehyde product.

The Saegusa oxidation is a useful tool in the synthesis of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and other organic compounds. It offers many advantages over traditional oxidizing agents such as chromic acid and permanganate, which are often toxic, corrosive, and hazardous to handle. It also provides a milder reaction condition, high yields, and good selectivity.