Synthesis of Carboxylic Acids

conc. KMnO4

Alkene is oxidized into carboxylic acid

O3, H3O+ ( or conc. KMnO4 )

Internal alkyne is turned into a carboxylic acid. Terminal alkyne is turned into a carboxylic acid and a formic acid

KMnO4, H2O, heat ( or KMnO4, NaOH then H3O+ )

CH2-R on a benzene is turned into a carboxylic acid

H2O ( or H+ or OH- with heat if needed )

Leaving group is displaced from carbonyl C and turned into a carboxylic acid

Mg, CO2, H3O+

R-Br is turned into a Grignard reagent (R-MgBr). The R group then attacks CO2. One of the O’s are protonated to form the carboxylic acid

Nitrile → Carboxylic acid

NaCN, H2O (H+ or OH- with heat if needed)

Nitrile (-CN) displaces LG. Then it reacts with H2O to form a carboxylic acid

Ag2O

Aldehyde is turned into a carboxylic acid

H2CrO4 ( or KMnO4 )

Primary alcohol is turned into a carboxylic acid

PCC

Primary alcohol is turned into an aldehyde. It can be furthered oxidized into a carboxylic acid w/ Ag2O