Benzyl Alcohol → Benzoic Acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a stirred suspension of 20 g (94 m mol) sodium periodate in 200 cc of 1 molar sodium hydroxide there was added 0.1 g (0.75 m mol) ruthenium dioxide and 4.32 g (40 m mol) benzyl alcohol. After two hours the reaction was stopped. The mixture was then filtered and the filtrate washed with ether obtaining a neutral fraction comprising benzaldehyde and unreacted benzyl alcohol. The aqueous alkali phase was acidified with sulfuric acid and extracted with ether. There was obtained 4.32 grams of benzoic acid (89% yield).

Provenance & Evidence