Alcohols can be oxidised to produce molecules with a different functional group. Primary alcohols can be oxidised to aldehydes and/or carboxylic acids, secondary alcohols are oxidised to ketones and tertiary alcohols do not oxidise.
Equations
These are general chemical equations. You will need to be able to use these to write equation with specific substances.
To produce an aldehyde, gently heat excess alcohol with an oxidising agent such as acidified potassium dichromate (VI) solution, in a distillation apparatus. Aldehydes tend to boil at a lower temperature than alcohols so will distil off immediately without being able to further oxidise.
To obtain a carboxylic acid the alcohol must be heated under reflux with an excess amount of oxidising agent.
Tertiary alcohols are not oxidised by acidified potassium dichromate (VII). However, they can be oxidised by burning them.
Read more
Learn with Basics
Learn the basics with theory units and practise what you learned with exercise sets!
Length:
Unit 1
Alcohols and carboxylic acids
Unit 2
Alcohol: classification and reactions
Jump Ahead
Score 80% to jump directly to the final unit.
Optional
Unit 3
Oxidation of alcohols
Final Test
Test reviewing all units to claim a reward planet.
Create an account to complete the exercises
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Are tertiary alcohols oxidised by acidified potassium dichromate (VI) ?
No, tertiary alcohols are not oxidised by acidified potassium dichromate (VI).
How can a primary alcohol be oxidised to give a carboxylic acid?
To obtain a carboxylic acid from a primary alcohol, the alcohol must be heated under reflux with an excess amount of oxidising agent.
How can a primary alcohol be oxidised to give an aldehyde?
To produce an aldehyde, gently heat excess alcohol with an oxidising agent such as acidified potassium dichromate (VI) solution, in a distillation apparatus.