Toluene → 3-Methylbenzoic acid

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A mixture of toluene (5 mL), trifluoroacetic anhydride (1 mL), and the catalyst solution as prepared above (0.3 mL) was pressurized, at room temperature, with air (1000 psig) and CO (120 psig). The resulting mixture was stirred at 200° C. for 2 hours. After the mixture was cooled down to room temperature, the solvents were evaporated. The residue was redissolved in ether and analyzed by GC-MS with chlorobenzene as an internal standard. A mixture of p-toluic acid and m-toluic acid (70:30) was produced with TON=20, along with trace amounts of o-toluic acid.

Provenance & Evidence