In the synthesis of Benzil from Benzoin why might nitric acid as a catalyst be worse than using acetic acid? I presume the answer is because of the yield. However, everything I have come across says that nitric acid will give a better yield than acetic acid because with acetic acid some material is converted into benzaldehyde by cleavage of the bond between two oxidized carbon atoms that is activated by both phenyl groups. Any help would be appreciated