Oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde by the use of chromyl chloride is called (a) Wurtz reaction (b) Fittig reaction (c) Etard's reaction (d) Rosenmund's reaction

Oxidation is a fundamental type of reaction in organic chemistry where a molecule gains oxygen or loses hydrogen, effectively increasing its oxygen content relative to hydrogen. When toluene, a simple aromatic hydrocarbon with a methyl group attached to a benzene ring, undergoes oxidation, the objective is to transform that methyl group into a different functional group with higher oxygen content.

In the context of the Etard's reaction, toluene is transformed into benzaldehyde, a compound with a formyl group. This particular transformation is critical for creating a variety of chemicals in industries ranging from perfumes to pharmaceuticals. The process uses chromyl chloride (CrO2Cl2) as an oxidizing agent that selectively targets the methyl group without breaking the aromatic ring. This selectivity is what makes the Etard's reaction especially valuable for organic synthesis.

Benzaldehyde is an aromatic aldehyde with many applications, often serving as an intermediate in the synthesis of other organic compounds. It's commonly used in the flavor and fragrance industry, as well as in the manufacturing of certain pharmaceuticals and dyes.

The synthesis of benzaldehyde can be performed through various methods, but one of the most classical routes is via the Etard's reaction. It involves the reaction of toluene with chromyl chloride, resulting in the formation of benzaldehyde along with other byproducts such as hydrochloric acid. The reaction is typically performed in the presence of an inert solvent, such as carbon disulfide (CS2), to control the reactivity of chromyl chloride. Essential to this process is the careful control of reaction conditions to ensure the selectivity for benzaldehyde over other possible oxidation products.

Preparation for the NEET chemistry exam requires a thorough understanding of organic reactions, which are central to the study of organic chemistry. Organic reactions like the Etard's reaction are not only conceptually significant but also have real-world applications, making them an important topic for aspiring medical and chemistry students.

An understanding of various functional groups, reaction mechanisms, and the conditions under which different reactions proceed is necessary for success in NEET chemistry. The Etard's reaction is a classical example often presented in educational materials because it illustrates the concept of selective oxidation in aromatic compounds, a key principle in organic chemistry. Organizing study materials to categorize reactions based on the types of transformations they accomplish—oxidations, reductions, substitutions, etc.—can provide students with a framework for mastering the myriad of reactions required for the NEET exam.