According to the solutions manual, the oxidation of acetophenone to benzoic acid can be achieved through addition of chromic acid and application of heat.
The solutions manual refers me to a section in the book which explains that when a benzylic hydrogen is present, a strong oxidizing agent combined with heat can perform oxidative cleavage.
Problem is that I don't see any benzylic hydrogens on acetophenone. Neither does its enol tautomer have any benzylic hydrogens ...
So, how is the oxidation of acetphenone to benzoic acid possible given what the book and solutions manual has told me? Self-consistency aside is this even a possible reaction?
