What is the final product when toluene is oxidized in the presence of KMnO4?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is option 1. Benzoic acid.
When toluene (\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CH}_3\)) is oxidized in the presence of potassium permanganate (KMnO4), the final product is benzoic acid \((C_6H_5COOH)\).
Here is the oxidation process:
Toluene is oxidized to benzyl alcohol (\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CH}_2\text{OH}\)) first. Further oxidation of benzyl alcohol leads to the formation of benzaldehyde (\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CHO}\)). Benzaldehyde is then further oxidized to benzoic acid (\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{COOH}\)).
Therefore, in the presence of KMnO4, toluene undergoes a series of oxidation steps ultimately resulting in benzoic acid as the final product.
