Phase transfer catalysed oxidation of benzaldehyde and substituted benzaldehydes by dichromate in organic medium

Abstract

Benzaldehyde and substituted benzaldehydes were oxidised to benzoic acid and substituted benzoic acids by dichromate under acidic medium in non-polar solvents like toluene and ethyl acetate in presence of a phase transfer catalyst. Various quaternary onium salts were used as phase transfer catalyst. The products obtained were characterised by melting point determination and infra-red spectral technique. The reaction is found to be very smooth and yield of products were more than 90%. The effect of organic solvents and phase transfer catalysts on yield of product formed was studied.