Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2025

Continuous Flow Chemistry: Reaction of Diphenyldiazomethane with p-Nitrobenzoic Acid
Published on: November 15, 2017
Simple and Practical Conversion of Benzoic Acids to Phenols at Room Temperature
Wenzhang Xiong1, Qiu Shi1, Wenbo H Liu1
1School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Abstract:
Phenols are important organic molecules because they have found widespread applications in many fields. Herein, an efficient and practical approach to prepare phenols from benzoic acids via simple organic reagents at room temperature is reported. This approach is compatible with various functional groups and heterocycles and can be easily scaled up. To demonstrate its synthetic utility, bioactive molecules and unsymmetrical hexaarylbenzenes have been prepared by leveraging this transformation as strategic steps. Mechanistic investigations suggest that the key migration step involves a free carbocation instead of a radical intermediate. Considering the abundance of benzoic acids and the utility of phenols, it is anticipated that this method will find broad applications in organic synthesis.
More Related Videos
05:34Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes in Water via Persulfate-promoted Benzannulation of α,β-Unsaturated Compounds and Alkynes
Published on: December 16, 2019
10:42Preparation of N-2-alkoxyvinylsulfonamides from N-tosyl-1,2,3-triazoles and Subsequent Conversion to Substituted Phthalans and Phenethylamines
Published on: January 3, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Hydrolysis of Chlorobenzene to Phenol: Dow Process
Benzene to Phenol via Cumene: Hock Process
Oxidation of Phenols to Quinones
o-hydroxy phenols are oxidized to o-quinones and p-hydroxy phenols to p-quinones. Such redox reactions involve the transfer of two electrons and two protons. The reversible redox...
Reactions at the Benzylic Position: Oxidation and Reduction
Acidity and Basicity of Alcohols and Phenols
Phase I Reactions: Oxidation of Aliphatic and Aromatic Carbon-Containing Systems
Oxidation reactions are fundamental in aromatic carbon-containing systems. An example is the hydroxylation of phenobarbital, a process that transforms it into...