Étard Reaction

Abstract

The oxidation of hydrocarbons by hexavalent chromium compounds (chromyl chloride, i.e., chromatic acid chloride) to form a mixture of alcohol, carbonyl compounds (aldehyde or ketones), chloro‐ketones, or aldehydes and the starting material is generally known as the Étard reaction. It has been observed the carbonyl compound functions as a ligand in the Étard complex and can be displaced by other coordinating solvents. The wide distribution of products and the lack of specificity at the reaction site reduce the yields of the desired compounds. As a result, this reaction is not a suitable reaction for organic synthesis, and the corresponding reaction mechanism is not clear, either.