ABSTRACT
Benzoic acid and/or benzaldehyde is commercially produced by the liquidphase oxidation oftoluene with air at relatively mild conditions, i.e., pressure in the range of 3 to 8 atm and temperature in the range of 130 to 160°C. The catalyst is 30 to 1000 ppm cobalt. Yields ofabout 90% oftheory are obtained. Other processes using chlorine or decarboxylating phthalic acid can be used, but they are normally not competitive.
