By using platinum nanoparticle catalysts that are generated in situ by extrusion from a porous copper chlorophosphate framework, the role of oxidants in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde was evaluated, with a view to establishing structure-property relationships. With a detailed 5 study of the kinetic properties of the oxidation reaction, it has been determined that the aerobic oxidation pathways progress with lower levels of product selectivity and higher activation energies (72.4 kJ/mol) than the peroxide-based ones (23.6 kJ/mol); affording valuable insights in the design of solid catalysts for selective 10 oxidation reactions. Furthermore, through the use of X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the effect of calcination temperature on the degree of extrusion and its influence on nanoparticle formation have been evaluated, leading to the establishment of structure-activity correlations between the observed activation energies and the 15 proportion of nanoparticle species generated .Oxidation reactions are ubiquitous in the pharmaceutical and fine-chemical industries, and are fundamentally important to introducing oxygen rich functional groups to organic molecules. For example, aldehyde and ester containing molecules are 20 heavily employed as flavouring and fragrance agents due to their volatility and distinctly aromatic nature that are often pleasing to smell and taste.[1] Benzaldehyde is a key component for most almond-based flavourings, although it finds other uses as precursors for plastic additives and as a pharmaceutical 25 intermediate toward antibiotic drugs such as chloramphenicol and ampicillin, as well as stimulants like ephedrine.[2] Industrially, it is synthesized by the hydrolysis of benzal chloride, however the dehydrogenative oxidation of benzyl alcohol is a viable, chloride free and environmentally benign alternative. [2] 30 Traditionally, industrial oxidation reactions are based on the use of stoichiometric quantities of inorganic metal-based oxidizing agents such as MnO2 or CrO3, or harsh mineral acids like H2SO4 and HNO3, which result in hazardous, corrosive and toxic operating conditions as well as leading to the generation of 35 large quantities of polluting waste by-products.[3] Due to the heightened socio-economic demand for the chemical and related industries to reduce their negative impact on the environment, there is a significant drive to find alternative economic and sustainable oxidation reagents and synthetic 40 protocols.[3] The abundance of molecular oxygen, its high atomeconomy in oxidation reactions, low costs and mild reaction conditions make it an appealing candidate as an oxidant, [4] although high-pressure and relatively high reaction temperatures are often required, owing to the gaseous nature of the reaction. 45 Similarly, simple peroxides such as H2O2 and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), are often considered as alternative green oxidants.[4] Although, this often leads to the generation of larger quantities of by-products in compa...