Benzene → Phenol

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a solution of benzene (0.428 g, 5.49 mmol) and cobalt(II) acetate (0.179 g, 1.01 mmol) in 50 mL of trifluoroacetic acid/10% trifluoroacetic anhydride at 25° C. was added 10 mL of a 0.5M solution of trifluoroperacetic acid in trifluoroacetic acid/10% trifluoracetic anhydride (cooled to 0° C.) by syringe pump over 20 h with stirring. The reaction mixture was initially a reddish-pink color which turned to dark green-black upon addition of the peracid. After the addition was complete, the reaction mixture was stirred an additional 7 h, then analyzed by gas chromatography using n-octane as an internal standard. The yield of phenyl trifluoroacetate was 56%, with a 58% conversion of benzene (selectivity to phenyl trifluoroacetate=96%). Addition of water to the reaction mixture resulted in the quantitative conversion of phenyl trifluoroacetate to phenol and trifluoroacetic acid solvent.

Provenance & Evidence