The oxidation of aromatic aldehydes by magnesium monoperoxyphthalate and urea–hydrogen peroxide

Magnesium monoperoxyphthalate and urea–hydrogen peroxide–acetic anhydride are effective reagents in the oxidation of benzaldehyde to benzoic acid and o- and p-methoxybenzaldehyde to the corresponding phenols. On the other hand, aromatic aldehydes, including the isomeric methoxybenzaldehydes, are oxidised to the corresponding benzoic acid derivatives in good to excellent yields by the hydroperoxide anion generated from urea–hydrogen peroxide.