Question

How do you convert the following?

Toluene to Benzoic acid.

Answer 1

Toluene is oxidized with alkaline $KMn{O}_4$ followed by acidification to form benzoic acid. Other oxidising agents that can be used are acidic $KMn{O}_4$, acidic $K_{2}C{r}_2{O}_7$ and dil $HN{O}_3$ etc.