Question

How to convert toluene to phenol

Answer 1

 First toluene is converted to benzoic acid(by KMnO4/OH-). Then it undergoes acid catalysed esterification to form phenyl benzoate. Then, on addition of NaOH(saponification), it gives phenol and sodium benzoate.

C6H5-CH3 + 3O2-----V2O5--->C6H5COOH+Na--->C6H5COONa+NaOH------>.C6H6+H2O------>C6H5OH(PHENOL)