| abstract |
A process for producing an aldehyde which comprises reacting a 1,2-diol (vic-diol) with oxygen in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst carried on a support to thereby oxidatively cleave the bond between two carbon atoms each having a hydroxyl group attached thereto, thus forming the corresponding aldehyde. The support is exemplified by active carbon, etc. As the catalytic component to be carried on the support, use can be made of organic ruthenium complexes such as dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine) ruthenium (II). By using this process, a 1,2-diol is oxidatively cleaved and thus the corresponding aldehyde can be effectively obtained. |