BENZOIC ACID

About:

• Benzoic acid (or C₆H₅COOH), is a colourless crystalline solid and a simple aromatic carboxylic acid. Benzoic acid is used as a food preservative and medicine for fungal/bacterial infection.
  
  
• Toluene is converted into benzoic acid through selective and controlled oxidation in the presence of a catalyst — binaphthyl-stabilised platinum nanoparticles (Pt-BNP).
  
  
• Generally, organic reactions are carried out using organic solvents, which makes it expensive and also generates toxic waste. So in a departure from current practice, the team has used water as solvent to make it environment-friendly.
  
  
• Also, a green oxidant (70% aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide or TBHP) is used for converting toluene into benzoic acid.