I know the difference.
YOU simply misunderstand.
I mean: Can benzoic acid be oxidized to phenol, not a phenol, but phenol, as in carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene, etc., OR can only benzaldehyde be subjected to this conversion, PhCHO --> PhOH.
The reason for asking: If benzoic acid also works, then PhCOOH --> PhOH. If not, then I was thinking the obvious: PhCOOH --> PhCHO --> PhOH.
So now you understand my question.
PrimoPyro
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