The oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds using air as the terminal oxidant is highly desirable. As described in previous reports, the abstraction of α-H of the alcohol is the most important step, and it typically requires not only a metal catalyst but also complex ligands, co-catalysts and bases. Herein, we report a practical and efficient method for the oxidation of primary alcohols, secondary alcohols, 1,2-diols, 1,2-amino alcohols, and other α-functionalized alcohols using a commercially available catalyst, Mn₂(CO)₁₀, and no additives. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that an alkoxyl radical intermediate existed in our system, and a plausible mechanism consistent with the experimental results and literature was proposed.

Cherry tomatoes are abundant in Tianyang County, Guangxi. In this study, we investigated the nutritional composition, bioactive composition and antioxidant function of three widely grown cherry tomato varieties in Tianyang County. The nutrients included sugar, fats, proteins, and minerals, and the cherry tomatoes bioactive components included fat-soluble components and water-soluble components, such as lycopene, β-carotene, esculeoside A, glutathione (GSH), and vitamin C. In addition, antioxidant activities of the three cherry tomato varieties were evaluated by their ability to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl free radicals in vitro, preventing lipid peroxidation in the liver of mice. The results showed that all three types of cherry tomatoes were all rich in water and dietary fiber, and the Jinbi cherry tomato variety showed the highest energetic value (36.69 kcal/100 g fresh weight), suggesting cherry tomatoes as a low-calorie diet food. Constituent studies revealed that all three cherry tomato varieties were rich in GSH, esculose A, vitamin C and rutin, and the Qianxi cherry tomato variety was also rich in lycopene. In vitro scavenging of DPPH and hydroxyl radicals revealed excellent free radical scavenging activity in all three cherry tomato fat-soluble and water-soluble components, with the best results in the Qianxi variety fat-soluble component. Experimental results suggested that cherry tomatoes reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and GSH, and prevented lipid peroxidation in the liver of mice. Our study suggests that cherry tomatoes are not only a good low-calorie nutritional supplement, but also a functional antioxidant food.