This reaction involves the oxidation of toluene using chromium oxide in the presence of acetic anhydride.
1. Step 1: Understand the reaction.
- Chromium oxide (\( \text{CrO}_3 \)) is a strong oxidizing agent that oxidizes the methyl group (-CH$_3$) of toluene to a carboxyl group (-COOH), converting the methyl group to a carboxylic acid group.
- Acetic anhydride is used to enhance the oxidation process.
- Hydrolysis then converts the acylated intermediate into the final product.
2. Step 2: Identify the product.
The oxidation of toluene results in the formation of benzoic acid.
Thus, the product formed is benzoic acid.