Preparation of benzaldehyde dialkyl acetals

摘要

Benzaldehyde dialkyl acetals of the formula <IMAGE> I wherein R1 and R2 are each alkyl, are prepared by electrochemical oxidation of an alkyltoluene of the formula <IMAGE> II by a process in which the electrolyte used contains from 60 to 90% by weight of an alkanol of the formula R2OH, from 8.5 to 40% by weight of the alkyltoluene and from 0.01 to 1.5% by weight of an HO3S-containing acid.