How is ethyl alcohol oxidized to acetic acid?

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Answer 1 · 2016-01-29T18:27:48

$H_3C-CH_2OH + O_2 rarr H_3C-C(=O)OH + H_2O$

Usually these oxidation reactions are performed in hot acidic potassium permanganate or potassium dichromate.

Answer 2 · 2016-01-30T12:19:28

this is how you do it,

FIRSTLY,

$color(red)(CH_3CH_2OH)+PI_3->CH_3CH_2I+H_3PO_3$

SECONDLY,

$CH_3CH_2I+KCN->CH_3CH_2CN+KI$

THIRDLY,

$CH_3CH_2CN+2H_2O->color(red)(CH_3CH_2COOH)+NH_3$