Oxidation of alcohols
Oxidation of alcohols
Formula
RCH₂OH → RCHO → RCOOH
Real World
When wine is left open, ethanol oxidises to ethanal and then to ethanoic acid (vinegar) — the same stepwise oxidation that acidified potassium dichromate performs in the lab.
Exam Focus
State the colour change (orange to green) and name the oxidising agent fully: acidified potassium dichromate(VI).
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