Benzene to Benzoic Acid Conversion, Reactions

Benzoic acid is an aromatic carboxylic acid. Benzoic acid can be derived from benzene in different ways and we are going to study some of them. Toluene or ethylbenzene which are derived from benzene can be oxidized to benzoic acid by strong oxidizing agents.

How to convert benzene into benzoic acid

Preparation of ethylbenzene or methylbenzene from benzene

When benzene is treated with alkyl halide compound in the presence of anhydrous AlCl₃ or FeCl₃, alkylbenzene compounds can be produced.

Therefore, when benzene is treated with methyl chloride or ethyl chloride in the presence of anhydrous AlCl₃ or FeCl₃, methylbenzene or ethylbenzene are produced respectively.

Oxidation of methylbenzene and ethylbenzene

Methylbenzene (toluene) or ethylbenzene are oxidized to benzoic acid by strong oxidizing agents such as acidic potassium permanagante. Then, alkyl group is conveted to carboxylic acid group.

There are so many methods to convert benzene to benzoic acid. One of the easiest method was explained above. Now, we are going to learn more ways of doing it.

Prepare acetaphenone from benzene

When benzene reacts with acetyl chloride in the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride, accetaphenone is given.

Acetaphenone oxidation