Possibility of the Benzoic Acids Formation by Oxidation of Benzyl Chlorides in the Sand

Masakazu Yamashita, Masato Hata

Department of Environmental Systems Science, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/jep.2013.41014                

Abstract

Seeking the possibility of the formation of benzoic acids from benzyl halides in natural soil, a model oxidation reaction of the halides was carried out in the presence of water and soil in an open air under UV light irradiation. Addition of TiO₂ to soil raised the yield of the acid, implying such a metal oxide plays a real catalytic role in this oxidation. By these supplementary experiments, one of the possibilities for the formation of benzoic acids in natural soil from benzyl chlorides was supported.

Keywords

Oxidation; Benzyl halides; Aromatic Carboxylic Acids

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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