PURPOSE: To profitably produce the subject compound useful as an intermediate for drugs, agricultural chemicals, perfumes, etc., by subjecting a substituted toluene to a catalytic gas phase oxidation reaction using molecular oxygen, etc., in the presence of the oxide of a specific element as a catalyst so as to selectively oxidize the methyl group.
CONSTITUTION: A substituted toluene of formula II (R is t-butyl, methoxy, phenoxy, isopropyl, OH; n is 1-3) is subjected to a catalytic gas phase oxidation reaction by the use of molecular oxygen (containing gas) in the presence of an oxide of formula I (X is Na, K, Rb, Cs, Tl; Y is Nb, Ta, P, Sb, Bi, Te, Sn, Pb, B, Cu, Ag; when a+b=1 as an atomic ratio, b=0.05-0.4; c=0.1-1; d=0-1; e=a value determined by the oxidation state of other elements) as a catalyst to produce the objective corresponding compound of formula III.
NAKAMURA ISAO
MATSUEDA TAIZO
ARITA YOSHIO
