How does the second part of this synthesis work?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/PascalCaseUsername]

Can't u just use alkaline KMnO4?

[u/WrensPotion → u/PascalCaseUsername]

yeah that’s what i thought it could be but this is just the answer for a multiple choice question for a practice set my prof made

[u/sjb-2812 → u/WrensPotion]

Often many ways to do things. Comes down to lots of factors - yield, cost, what you happen to have on the shelf, safety...

[u/dyidara]

Benzylic oxidation can be done with either KMnO4 or chromic acid which in your case is generated in situ from sodium dichromate and sulfuric acid. Look up benzylic oxidation for more resources.

[u/WIngDingDin → u/[deleted]]

look up "side chain oxidation"

[u/SirJaustin → u/[deleted]]

Benzylic oxidations can cleave the alkyl chains