It is well-known that activated manganese dioxide (MnO2) is a useful reagent both for selective oxidation of benzylic and allylic alcohols to aldehydes and ketones, respectively, and for dehydrogenation of heterocycles to heteroaromatics.1 Although several methods for preparation of activated MnO2 have been reported,2 preparations are very tedious and sometimes the oxidation efficiency lacks reproducibility. Commercially available activated MnO2 can also be used, but again its ...