CERIC AMMONIUM NITRATE (CAN) as oxidizing reagent for organic reactions

The reaction of ceric ammonium nitrate, (NH4)2 [Ce (NO3)6] or CAN with naphthalene and 2-methyl naphthalene in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methy limit = 20-lium triflate showed that the reaction products are strongly dependent on the water content of the ionic liquid and that cerium (iv) in the ionic liquid can electrochemically be regenerated. The formula (NH4)2 [Ce(NO3)6] reflects that the cerium (iv) ion is surrounded & by six nitrate groups and that the ammonium ions are counter ions to compensate for the negative charge of the hexanitratocetrate (iv) coordinating unit. CAN is a one electron oxidation reagent. Typical examples of the oxidation are alcohol to benzaldehyde toluene to benzaldehyde, naphthalene to 1,4 – napthoquinone, 1,4-hydroquinones to the corresponding 1,4 – quinones.