Liquid-phase oxidation of toluene by air in acetic acid medium, with cobalt acetate catalyst and sodium bromide or paraldehyde as promoter, has been investigated with a view to developing a process for the production of benzaldehyde with benzoic acid as a coproduct. The effects of various process parameters such as temperature, period of reaction, presswe, and concentrations of the substrate, catalyst, and promoter on the overall conversion and yield of benzaldehyde were studied. Up to 10% conversion, the use of either sodium bromide or paraldehyde as a promoter gave more than 90% yield of benzaldehyde. However, at high conversions, the yield of benzaldehyde decreased markedly. Under suitable conditions. 40% yield of benzaldehyde was obtained at a conversion of 20% in the presence of sodium bromide.
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