Electrochemical benzylic oxidations

Claim 1

Method of oxidizing benzylic methylene groups to ketones which comprises in a membrane divided electrolytic cell having an anolyte compartment and a catholyte compartment each fitted with an anode and cathode respectively in a closed circuit connected to a d.c. power source, (a) charging said anolyte compartment with a biphasic aqueous-organic solvent system comprising a hydrocarbon having about 7 to about 30 carbon atoms and at least one benzylic methylene group, about 0.01 to about 10,000 moles of 0.001 to 30 N aqueous mineral acid per mole of hydrocarbon, about 1×10 -6 to about 100 moles of a manganese compound per mole of hydrocarbon, and a catalytic amount of a phase transfer catalyst in one phase, together with about 0.1 to about 10,000 moles of an alkylene halide having 2 to about 6 carbon atoms per mole of hydrocarbon in a second phase; (b) charging 0.01 to about 10,000 moles of 0.01 to 30 N aqueous mineral acid per mole of hydrocarbon to the catholyte compartment; and (c) passing sufficient direct current through said electrolytic cell to convert the hydrocarbon benzylic methylene groups to ketone groups.