The present invention relates a method for oxidation of an aromatic compound having an alkyl substituent, including reacting the aromatic compound having an alkyl substituent with an oxygen molecule to oxidize the alkyl substituent into an aldehyde group in the presence of a catalyst containing Ag and/or Au, and, if necessary, any one or more kinds of group VIII elements, supported on a carrier. The oxidation method of the present invention allows the production of an aromatic aldehyde compound or an aromatic carboxylic acid ester via this aromatic aldehyde compound in high yield and in high selectivity by the use of a catalyst having moderate oxidizing ability, even when an aromatic compound having an alkyl substituent, which is easily converted into an aromatic carboxylic acid by oxidation, is used as a starting material.
本发明涉及一种具有烷基取代基的芳香族化合物的氧化方法,包括使具有烷基取代基的芳香族化合物与氧分子反应,在含有Ag和/或Au的催化剂存在下将烷基取代基氧化成醛基,必要时还可将任何一种或多种VIII族元素支撑在载体上。本发明的氧化方法通过使用具有中等氧化能力的催化剂,可以高产率、高选择性地生产芳香醛化合物或芳香
羧酸酯,即使使用具有烷基取代基的芳香化合物作为起始原料,该芳香化合物也很容易通过氧化转化为芳香
羧酸。