What is the major product obtained by oxidation of phenylethene with KMnO ₄ in dilute H ₂ SO ₄ ?

Step-by-step solution

Phenylethene (styrene) has the structure C ₆ H ₅ CH = CH ₂ . When treated with a strong oxidizing agent like KMnO ₄ in an acidic medium (dilute H ₂ SO ₄ ), oxidative cleavage of the carbon-carbon double bond takes place. The terminal = CH ₂ group is oxidized to CO ₂ and H ₂ O . The C ₆ H ₅ CH = group is oxidized to a carboxylic acid, yielding benzoic acid ( C ₆ H ₅ COOH ). The reaction is given by: C ₆ H ₅ CH = CH ₂ KMnO ₄, H ^+ C ₆ H ₅ COOH + CO ₂ + H ₂ O Thus, the major product obtained is benzoic acid. Answer: B