Oxidation of KMnO4: Necessity of Soluble Starting Material

[kalyanchem]

KMnO4 oxidation of benzylic methyl to acid sometimes does not proced. Is it necessary that solid starting material should soluble in this reaction mixture to proced the reaction.

 

[orgopete]

Is this an experimental result, or a hypothetical question? That is, is your question one of yield, as in why isn't the yield higher?

I don't think solubility is required, though helpful. Reaction can occur at interface, but more slowly. What is the mole ratio of KMnO4 to cmpd? How are you doing the reaction?