Page 180 - Pharm.Org.Chem-I 02-06-05-101

2-Oxidation of alkyl group (Side chain)

• The benzene ring is too stable to be oxidized, and only the alkyl group is
oxidized.
• Regardless of the length of the alkyl substituent, it will be oxidized to at α-C
(benzylic carbon atom) to COOH group.
• Commonly used oxidizing agents are: KMnO4 / H+ or OH- Or Na2Cr2O7 / H+.

57 1-Phenylpropene

II- Alkenyl derivatives

Styrene (vinyl benzene)

Preparation of styrene

Styrene Ethylbenzene

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