Chapter 11: Arenes and Aromaticity
Oxidation of Alkyl Benzenes
Reaction type: Oxidation
Summary:
When treated under strong oxidising conditions,
benzylic-H
systems are oxidised all the way to the carboxylic acid.
The alkyl substituent can be methyl-, 1
o
or 2
o
alkyl.
3
o
alkyl are
not
oxidised because they lack a benzylic-H.
Note that simple alkane
C-H
can not be oxidised in this manner, it's specific to the benzylic position.
Poly alkyl benzenes can be oxidised to polycarboxylic acids provided each alkyl group has the required benzylic H present.
Benzyl alcohols and ketones will also be easily oxidised to benzoic acids under the same conditions.
©
Dr. Ian Hunt
, Department of Chemistry
