The PEG radical from oxidative degradation of polyethylene glycol was first used to initiate the oxidation of benzylic alcohols to carbonyl compounds without the need of a catalyst and/or additive in a viable synthetic, cost-effective and environmentally benign way, in which PEG/O2/CO2 acts as initiator, oxidant and solvent. Compressed CO2 in this study not only provides a safe environment to conduct the oxidation employing molecular oxygen as an ...
