Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of p-toluic acid by liquid phase oxidation of p-xylene using oxygen or air as oxidant in the presence of p-toluic acid, water as solvent and cobalt salt or its combinations with salts of Ce, Mn as catalyst. Oxidation is carried out at 130-190° C. and pressure sufficient to keep water in liquid state. Oxidation step is followed by filteration to obtain p-toluic acid as major product. Untreated p-xylene is recovered and recycled and the catalyst is recovered from aqueous phase and is recycled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of benzene dicarboxylic acids by liquid phase oxidation of Xylene isomers using oxygen or air by oxidising in the presence of acetic acid as solvent, cobalt salt as catalyst and an initiator. The oxidation step is followed by flashing the said reaction mixture to remove volatile substances and cooling and filtering to get crude benzene di-carboxylic acid as a solid product and filtrate. The dicarboxylic acid solid product is recrystallised to get at least 99% pure benzene. The filtrate may be recycled.