The oxidations of a select group of arylalkanes by permanganate have been studied in aqueous solution and in toluene. In water at pH 7, the reactions of toluene, ethylbenzene, and cumene with KMnO$\sb4$ were studied. In toluene, $\rm\sp{n}Bu\sb4NMnO\sb4$ was used as the oxidant in the reactions of toluene, ethylbenzene, cumene, ...