Question:

How do you convert Acetophenone to Benzoic acid ?

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Remember the important oxidation: \[ \text{Acetophenone} \left(C_6H_5COCH_3\right) \overset{[O]}{\longrightarrow} \text{Benzoic Acid} \left(C_6H_5COOH\right) \] Strong oxidising agents such as \(KMnO_4\) and \(K_2Cr_2O_7\) convert aromatic side chains into carboxylic acids.
Updated On: Jun 29, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Concept: Acetophenone is an aromatic ketone having the molecular formula \[ C_6H_5COCH_3 \] It contains a methyl group directly attached to the carbonyl carbon. When aromatic side chains containing benzylic hydrogen atoms are treated with strong oxidising agents such as hot alkaline or acidified potassium permanganate, the side chain is oxidised to a carboxylic acid group. Therefore, acetophenone can be oxidised to benzoic acid.

Step 1: Writing the structure of acetophenone. Acetophenone is represented as \[ C_6H_5COCH_3 \] where \[ C_6H_5- \] represents the phenyl group and \[ -COCH_3 \] represents the ketonic side chain.

Step 2: Choosing a suitable oxidising agent. Strong oxidising agents used for this conversion are: \[ KMnO_4 \] or \[ K_2Cr_2O_7/H^+ \] These oxidising agents are capable of oxidising the side chain attached to the benzene ring.

Step 3: Oxidation of acetophenone. On heating acetophenone with acidified potassium permanganate, the side chain undergoes oxidation. The methyl ketone side chain is ultimately converted into a carboxyl group attached to the benzene ring. The reaction is \[ C_6H_5COCH_3 \xrightarrow[\Delta]{KMnO_4/H^+} C_6H_5COOH \] The product formed is benzoic acid.

Step 4: Identification of the product. The compound obtained after oxidation is \[ C_6H_5COOH \] which is known as benzoic acid. Thus, \[ \boxed{\text{Acetophenone} \rightarrow \text{Benzoic Acid}} \]

Step 5: Writing the complete conversion. \[ \boxed{ C_6H_5COCH_3 \xrightarrow[\Delta]{KMnO_4/H^+} C_6H_5COOH } \]

Final Answer: Acetophenone is converted into benzoic acid by oxidation with hot acidified potassium permanganate or potassium dichromate. \[ \boxed{ C_6H_5COCH_3 \xrightarrow[\Delta]{KMnO_4/H^+} C_6H_5COOH } \]
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