| abstract |
A process for catalytically oxidizing alkylaromatic compounds of the formula (I) n Ar—CH 2 —R n where Ar is an optionally substituted, aromatic or heteroaromatic 5-membered or 6-membered ring or a ring system having up to 20 carbon atoms where Ar may optionally be fused to a C 1 -C 6 -alkyl group in which up to 2 carbon atoms may be replaced by a heteroatom, and R is hydrogen, phenyl, benzyl or heteroaryl, where the phenyl, benzyl or heteroaryl radicals may also be joined to Ar by a bridge, or R together with Ar forms an optionally substituted ring system which may contain one or more optionally substituted heteroatoms, to the corresponding aromatic or heteroaromatic carboxylic acids in a solvent with ozone in the presence of a transition metal catalyst and optionally in the presence of an acid at a temperature between −70° C. and 110° C. to the corresponding carboxylic acid. |