Dakin oxidation

Dakin reaction
Named after Henry Drysdale Dakin
Reaction type Organic redox reaction
Identifiers
Organic Chemistry Portal dakin-reaction
RSC ontology ID RXNO:0000169
The Dakin oxidation

The Dakin oxidation (or Dakin reaction) is an organic redox reaction in which an ortho- or para-hydroxylated phenyl aldehyde (2-hydroxybenzaldehyde or 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde) or ketone reacts with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in base to form a benzenediol and a carboxylate. Overall, the carbonyl group is oxidised, whereas the H2O2 is reduced.

The Dakin oxidation, which is closely related to the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation, is not to be confused with the Dakin–West reaction, though both are named after Henry Drysdale Dakin.