3.3. Catalytic Reactions

The procedure used to perform the tandem reaction is as follows: The oxidation of benzyl alcohol was carried out in a 20 mL Schlenk tube. During a typical catalytic test, the catalyst (1 mol % Ru), Cs₂CO₃ (0.4 mmol, placed in a porous membrane) as base, benzyl alcohol (0.33 mmol), dodecane as internal standard (0.33 mmol) and toluene (500 μL) were added to the Schlenk tube. The tube was purged with pure oxygen, sealed and heated to 100 °C for 12 h. Samples were withdrawn after 12 h. Upon cooling to room temperature and dilution with solvent, the samples were analyzed using a gas chromatograph. Hereafter, the porous membrane containing Cs₂CO₃ was removed and nitrile substrates (0.33 mmol) were added to the previous reaction mixture. The tube was sealed without purging oxygen. The reaction was heated from room temperature to 70 °C for an additional 1 h. Upon cooling to room temperature and dilution with toluene, the samples were analyzed using a gas chromatograph. After each catalytic run, the catalyst was recovered by filtration and washed with toluene, water, and acetone. The catalyst was then used directly in the subsequent runs. Conversion, selectivity and yield are calculated through Equations (S1)–(S3), respectively (see section catalytic reactions in SI, Figure S2).