Question

How do you convert Benzaldehyde to Benzophenone?

Answer 1

Conversion of Benzaldehyde to Benzophenone:

Step 1: Formation of Benzoic acid

• Benzaldehyde is treated with a strong oxidizing agent Potassium permanganate ${\mathrm{KMnO}}_4$to oxidize it to form Benzoic acid.

Step 2: Fomation of Benzene

• The Benzoic acid formed is then treated with Sodium hydroxide$\left(\mathrm{NaOH}\right)$ and Calcium oxide$\left(\mathrm{CaO}\right)$ in the presence of heat to form Benzene.
• The reaction is known as the decarboxylation reaction.

Step 3: Formation of Benzophenone

• In the last step, Benzene is reacted with Benzoyl chloride in presence of Aluminium chloride$\left({\mathrm{AlCl}}_3\right)$ to form Benzophenone.
• This reaction is also called Friedel-Crafts acylation.

This conversion of Benzaldehyde to Benzophenone is a 3 step reaction.