Question

What happens to the ph of the reaction mixture as the oxidation reaction proceeds in an oxidation of an aromatic side chain?

Answer 1

The pH decreases.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hello,

In organic chemistry, oxidation accounts for either the increasing of C-O bonds or the increasing in the oxygen atoms into the molecule. Thus, if we consider the oxidation from benzyl alcohol to benzoic acid, there will be a carboxyl functional group instead of a hydroxile one. Now, the presence of the polar -O-H bonds that are ionizable, there will be a
`H^(+1)` releasing causing the pH to decrease (increase acidity).

Regards.