Question

How will you convert the following?
(i) Toluene to Benzoic acid:
(ii) Ethanol to 3-Hydroxybutanal:

Hint:

Toluene can be oxidized using strong oxidizing agents to form benzoic acid, while ethanol can be oxidized to acetaldehyde, which then reacts to form 3-hydroxybutanal.

Answer 1

(i) Toluene to Benzoic acid:
Toluene (C$_6$H$_5$CH$_3$) can be oxidized to benzoic acid (C$_6$H$_5$COOH) using strong oxidizing agents such as potassium permanganate (KMnO$_4$) or chromic acid (H$_2$CrO$_4$). These reagents will oxidize the methyl group (-CH$_3$) into a carboxyl group (-COOH), converting toluene into benzoic acid.

(ii) Ethanol to 3-Hydroxybutanal:
Ethanol (CH$_3$CH$_2$OH) can be oxidized to acetaldehyde (CH$_3$CHO) by using an oxidizing agent like PCC (Pyridinium chlorochromate) or mild oxidizers. The acetaldehyde then undergoes a nucleophilic addition with a Grignard reagent (like CH$_3$MgBr) to form the intermediate 3-hydroxybutanal.