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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

The oxidation of benzene by V2_2O5_5 in the presence of air produces:

A

Benzoic anhydride

B

Maleic anhydride

C

Benzoic acid

D

Benzaldehyde

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Stability of Benzene: The benzene ring is generally stable to strong oxidising agents like KMnO4KMnO_4 or K2Cr2O7K_2Cr_2O_7; typically, only the alkyl side chains are oxidised (e.g., Toluene to Benzoic acid).
  2. Catalytic Oxidation: However, under vigorous conditions—specifically heating benzene in the presence of air (oxygen) and Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5V_2O_5) catalyst at 773 K—the aromatic ring undergoes cleavage.
  3. Reaction: 2C6H6+9O2→V2O5,Δ2C4H2O3 (Maleic anhydride)+4CO2+4H2O2C_6H_6 + 9O_2 \xrightarrow{V_2O_5, \Delta} 2C_4H_2O_3 \text{ (Maleic anhydride)} + 4CO_2 + 4H_2O
  4. Conclusion: The specific product formed in this catalytic vapour phase oxidation is Maleic anhydride .
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