Abstract: Aromatic ketones may be prepared by subjecting an alkyl aromatic compound containing more than one carbon atom in the alkyl substituent to an electrical energy which includes a direct electrical current in the presence of a nucleophile such as an organometallic oxide, a solvent and a reaction initiator such as an alkali metal hydroxide and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide to produce a ketal, following which the ketal may be converted to the desired ketone by hydrolysis.

Abstract: Aromatic aldehydes may be prepared by subjecting a methyl-substituted aromatic compound to an electrical energy which includes a direct electrical current utilizing a basic medium to form an acetal, following which the acetal may be converted to the desired aldehyde by subjecting said acetal to acid hydrolysis.

Abstract: Alkyl aromatic compounds may be subjected to an electrochemical oxidation in an appropriate electrochemical cell utilizing a semi-emulsion solution comprising said alkyl aromatic compound in a dilute mineral acid solution containing a salt of a transition metal. The reaction is preferably effected at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure utilizing an electrical energy which includes a voltage in the range of from about 2 to about 20 volts or a current density in the range of from about 0 to about 1000 miliamps per square centimeter.

Abstract: Alkyl aromatic compounds may be subjected to electrochemical oxidation in an appropriate electrochemical cell utilizing an emulsion solution comprising said alkyl aromatic compound in an aqueous acidic medium which contains a salt of a transition metal. The reaction is effected at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure utilizing an electrical energy which includes a voltage in the range of from 2 to about 30 volts or a current density in the range of from about 20 to about 1000 milliamps per square centimeter.

Abstract: The electrochemical oxidation of activated alkyl substituted aromatic compounds in which the alkyl substituent is acyloxylated in a direct oxidation process may be effected by treating an activated alkyl substituted aromatic compound with a fatty acid, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt thereof and a phase transfer agent in an electrochemical cell to form oxidative products of the starting compound.

Abstract: The electrochemical oxidation of alkoxy-substituted aromatic compounds in which a desired position isomer is obtained may be effected by treating the aromatic compound with an aliphatic acid containing at least 4 carbon atoms in the presence of a phase transfer agent, said reaction being effected in an electrochemical cell. In the present invention the position isomer which comprises the para compound is prepared by treating a substituted aromatic compound such as anisole with a bulky acid such as pivalic acid in an electrochemical cell whereby the desired oxidized product is recovered on the anode.

Abstract: The electrochemical oxidation of alkoxy-substituted aromatic compounds may be effected by treating the aromatic compound with propionic acid in the presence of a phase transfer agent, said reaction being effected in an electrochemical cell. In the present invention the position isomer which comprises the para compound is prepared in a favorable ratio over the ortho isomer by treating a substituted aromatic compound such as anisole with propionic acid in an electrochemical cell whereby the desired oxidized product is recovered on the anode.