Arylcarboxylic acids, mechanism

Cobalt bromide is used as a catalyst in the technology of production of arylcarboxylic acids by the oxidation of methylaromatic hydrocarbons (toluene, p-xylene, o-xylene, polymethyl-benzenes). A cobalt bromide catalyst is a mixture of cobaltous and bromide salts in the presence of which hydrocarbons are oxidized with dioxygen. Acetic acid or a mixture of carboxylic acids serves as the solvent. The catalyst was discovered as early as in the 1950s, and the mechanism of catalysis was studied by many researchers [195-214],... 

An alternative mechanism [8] entails reaction of cyanamide (or dicyandiamide) with the dye phosphonate to give an O-acylisourea derivative (7.47). This is able to react directly with cellulose to form dye-fibre bonds, urea being released as the anticipated by-product (Scheme 7.31). In support of this mechanism, it is known that O-acylisourea derivatives of arylcarboxylic acids react readily with alcohols and this constitutes an efficient route for the preparation of carboxylic esters [44]. 

KMn04 can also dihydroxylate alkenes, particularly electron-poor ones. More electron-rich alkenes may be oxidized further to the dicarbonyl compound. KMn04 can also oxidize alkylbenzenes to the arylcarboxylic acids. The mechanism of the later reaction remains quite obscure. 

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