Abstract
The oxidative decarboxylation reactions of arylacetic acids to arylcarbinols were compared for Mn(III) acetate, Ce(IV) ammonium nitrate and a combination reagent of Co(III) acetate-Cu(II) acetate. The reaction with Mn(III)acetate in acetic acid gave the corresponding arylcarbinyl acetate usually in good yield. The reaction was particularly easy when the substrate carried an electron-donating group at the para position of the aromatic ring, or when the acid was secondary or tertiary. In contrast, the product generated with the other reagents was either a mixture containing over-oxidation products or products formed via a different route.
