Pfitzner‐Moffatt Oxidation

The oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones under mild and almost neutral conditions by the combination of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) in the presence of a proton source is known as the Pfitzner–Moffatt oxidation and the combination of DMSO and DCC is known as the Pfitzner–Moffatt reagent. It has been reported that the reaction is applicable to primary and secondary hydroxyl groups in a variety of compounds. Some of the drawbacks of this reaction have also addressed. It has been proposed that this reaction involves the activation of DMSO by DCC through an acid‐catalyzed process. This reaction has wide application in the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to corresponding aldehydes and ketones.