OXIDATION OF ALKYLAROMATIC COMPOUNDS

摘要

A process for the oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds is provided. The process comprises oxidising a substrate alkylaromatic compound with a peroxygen compound in the presence of a source of cerium (III) or (IV), a source of bromide and a carboxylic acid or anhydride solvent. Preferably, the source of cerium is cerium (III) acetate, the source of bromide is sodium bromide and the solvent is acetic or propionic acid. The process is particularly suited to the selective oxidation of methylaromatic compounds to the corresponding aldehydes.