A magnetically separable catalyst was synthesized via a carbodiimide activation process with β-cyclodextrin functionalized by core-shell nanoparticles (Fe3O4/SiO2/CM-β-CD). The catalyst presented high activity for selective oxidation of various alcohols with NaOCl as oxidant and water only as the solvent. A substrate-selective and transition metal-free process was achieved with easy separation of the catalyst.
β-cyclodextrin; magnetic; oxidation