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16.7.3 KMnO4 Oxidation of Alkylbenzene

16.7.3 Permanganate oxidation of alkylbenzene

Potassium permanganate (KMnO4) can oxidize any alkyl group that is attached to a benzene ring to a one-carbon atom carboxylic acid.

KMnO4 oxidation of alkyl benzene for form benzoic acid

Notice that no matter how long the alkyl group is, a one-carbon carboxylic acid is all that is formed.

KMnO4 oxidation of alkyl benzene for form benzoic acid