Abstract: Methylene substituted aromatic compounds can be oxidized using t-butyl hydroperoxide and microwave radiation. In particular, xylenes give primarily phthalic acids, while toluene gives benzoic acid. Other methylene substituted aromatic compounds where the methylene group is not part of a methyl group give ketones, rather than acids. For example, fluorene gives fluorenone. The process avoids the need for the presence of metals such as in catalysts or in oxidizing agents, and can be carried out using water rather than an organic solvent. Thus the process can conform with the ideals of green chemistry.