oxidation of alcohols Flashcards
what is the general equation for the oxidation of alcohols?
alcohol + oxygen
makes an aldehyde,
if more oxygen is added, makes a carboxylic acid
what are 2 examples of oxidizing agents?
- potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7)
- potassium manganate
what is another name for oxidation?
destructive oxidation
what is an aldehyde?
an organic compound in which the carbonyl group is attached to a carbon atom at the end of a carbon chain
what is a carboxylic acid?
what is the suffix for an aldehyde?
-al
what is the suffix for a carboxylic acid?
-oic acid
describe the oxidation process of methanol.
methanol - methanal - methanoic acid
why do we use potassium dichromate or potassium manganate as an oxidising agent?
because they have a lot of oxygens
what is the name of the apparatus for oxidation of alcohols?
a reflux apparatus
what is the difference between a reflux apparatus and a distillation apparatus?
reflux apparatus is set up to heat things but not let them escape, unlike distillation
describe the parts of a reflux apparatus
a round-bottomed flask with a condenser
why don’t we cover the reflux apparatus with a cork?
so it doesn’t explode!
describe the color change observed with when using an oxidizing agent of potassium dichromate
orange -> green
Cr(6+) -> Cr(3+)
describe the color change observed with when using an oxidizing agent of potassium manganate
purple -> pink
Mn(7+) -> Mn(2+)
