What can primary alcohols be oxidized into?

1 Answer
anor277
May 2, 2016

TO aldehydes, then to carboxylic acids, and then of course to carbon dioxide.

Explanation:

#RCH_2OH + 1/2O_2 rarr RC(=O)H + H_2O#

#RC(=O)H + 1/2O_2(g) rarr RC(=O)OH#

Look at the individual oxidation states of the ipso carbon:
#RCH_2OH, -I#; #RC(=O)H, +I#; #RC(=O)OH, +III#; #CO_2, +IV#.

I doubt that you would actually have to learn these oxidation states. I include it as a demonstration of the redox manifold of the carbon atom; of course, #C# in methane #CH_4# has an oxidation state of #-IV#. And #C# in ethylene, #H_2C=CH_2# has an oxidation state of #-II#...often we speak of oxidation of an olefin, or reduction to ethane, i.e. #C(-III)#...

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