Carboxylic Acids

Question 1

How can carboxylic acids be prepared?

Answer 1

Oxidising primary alcohols using acidified permanganate, acidified dichromate, and hot copper(II) oxide.

Oxidising aldehydes using acidified permanganate, acidified dichromate, Fehling’s solution, and Tollens’ reagent.

Hydrolysing nitriles, esters, or amides.

Question 2

What methods are used to oxidize primary alcohols to carboxylic acids?

Answer 2

Oxidation using acidified permanganate.

Oxidation using acidified dichromate.

Oxidation using hot copper(II) oxide.