Areneseleninic acids

Baeyer-Villiger oxidation.1 Aromatic aldehydes can be converted to phenols in generally high yield by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (30%) activated by an areneseleninic acid. Polymethoxyacetophenones are also oxidized to phenols, but in lower yields. 

ArCHO — ArOH. Aromatic aldehydes undergo Baeyer-Villiger reaction when treated with H202 (30%) in the presence of several selenium compounds as catalysts, of which areneseleninic acids are most effective. The resulting aryl formates are readily hydrolyzed to phenols. 

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