How will you convert the following :
(i) Toluene to benzoic acid.
(ii) Ethanol to 3-Hydroxybutanal
Ans. To convert toluene to benzoic acid, you need to carry out the following steps:
(i) Oxidation of Toluene to Benzaldehyde: Toluene can be oxidized to benzaldehyde using reagents like potassium permanganate (KMnO4) or chromic acid (H2CrO4).
(ii) Further Oxidation of Benzaldehyde to Benzoic Acid: Benzaldehyde, obtained from the oxidation of toluene, can be further oxidized to benzoic acid using strong oxidizing agents like alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO4) or chromic acid (H2CrO4).
To convert ethanol to 3-hydroxybutanal, you need to perform the following steps:
(i) Oxidation of Ethanol to Acetaldehyde: Ethanol can be oxidized to acetaldehyde using oxidizing agents like acidified potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7/H2SO4).
(ii) Condensation of Acetaldehyde with Formaldehyde: Acetaldehyde, obtained from the oxidation of ethanol, can undergo a condensation reaction with formaldehyde to form 3-hydroxybutanal. This reaction is commonly known as the Cannizzaro reaction and proceeds in the presence of a base such as hydroxide ion (OH-) to form the corresponding aldol.
These are the general strategies for the conversion of toluene to benzoic acid and ethanol to 3-hydroxybutanal. However, specific reaction conditions and reagents may vary depending on the reaction conditions and desired yields.
