Surfactant assisted permanganate oxidation of aromatic compounds

Abstract

Potassium permanganate in aqueous solutions of surfactant can be used to oxidize aromatic compounds to the corresponding acids. It has been found that oxidation of aromatic alcohols and aldehydes proceeds under mild reaction conditions, while the oxidation of alkylbenzenes requires higher temperatures. The yields are very high and the work-up is simple, which makes oxidation with potassium permanganate a convenient synthetic method. Keywords: surfactant, oxidation, aromatic compounds, catalysis.