Oxidative methylation of toluene

Summary Degenerate branching for the oxidative methylation of toluene is determined by the presence of two intermediate reaction products — benzaldehyde and formaldehyde. Benzaldehyde is responsible for chain branching, resulting in benzene and phenol, while formaldehyde is responsible for the methylation chain with ethylbenzene and styrene as products. Aldehydes are recommended to be recycled.