Abstract Acetophenones substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, acetoxy, and halogen groups were selectively oxidized with molecular oxygen to the corresponding benzoic acids by using the N, N′, N′′-trihydroxyisocyanuric acid (THICA)/cobalt (II) acetate [Co (OAc) 2] and THICA/Co (OAc) 2/manganese (II) acetate [Mn (OAc) 2]. For example, 4- methylacetophenone was selectively oxidized with molecular oxygen to 4-acetylbenzoic ...