**Benzoic Acid from Methyl Benzene: A Detailed Explanation**

**Introduction:**
The conversion of methyl benzene (toluene) to benzoic acid involves a series of chemical reactions that change the structure of the molecule, leading to the formation of benzoic acid. This process typically involves oxidation and subsequent acidification of the methyl group on the benzene ring.

**Step 1: Oxidation of Methyl Benzene**
The first step in the conversion of methyl benzene to benzoic acid is the oxidation of the methyl group to a carboxylic acid group. This can be achieved through a variety of oxidation methods, but one commonly used approach is the reaction with a strong oxidizing agent such as potassium permanganate (KMnO4) or chromic acid (H2CrO4). The oxidation of the methyl group results in the formation of a carboxylic acid group, giving rise to the intermediate molecule, benzyl alcohol.

**Step 2: Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol**
The second step involves the further oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzoic acid. This step is typically carried out by using a strong oxidizing agent such as potassium permanganate (KMnO4). The oxidation of benzyl alcohol leads to the formation of benzoic acid.

**Step 3: Acidification of the Intermediate**
The final step is the acidification of the intermediate benzyl alcohol to form benzoic acid. This is achieved by treating the intermediate with a strong acid, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The acidification process converts the alcohol group (-OH) into a carboxylic acid group (-COOH), resulting in the formation of benzoic acid.

**Conclusion:**
In summary, the conversion of methyl benzene to benzoic acid involves the oxidation of the methyl group to benzyl alcohol, followed by the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzoic acid, and finally the acidification of the intermediate to form benzoic acid. This multi-step process requires the use of strong oxidizing agents and acids to drive the desired chemical transformations.