Question

1.     Predict the outcome of an alcohol oxidation reaction

Answer 1

There are three types of alcohols

1. Primary

2. Secondary

3. Tertiary

1. Primary Alcohols

Primary alcohols can be oxidised to either aldehydes or carboxylic acids depending on the reaction conditions. when the formation of carboxylic acids, the alcohol is first get oxidised to an aldehyde which is then be oxidised further to the coressponding carboxylic acid.

• Chromic acid which is used in water will oxidize the primary alcohols to carboxylic acid as major product.
• PCC or PDC, which are used in dichloromethane, allow the oxidation to be stopped at the intermediate aldehyde.

2. Secondary Alcohols

Secondary alcohols can be oxidised to ketones but no further oxidation will occur

3.Tertiary alcohols

Tertiary alcohols can not oxidised by any oxidizing reagent since there is no hydrogen available in alcohol carbon. There is no reaction whatsoever.

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