Oxidation of Alcohols
In this video created by Chemistry Guru, Singapore's leading JC Chemistry tuition centre, we want to discuss the oxidation of alcohols.
Interestingly the extent of oxidation of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols are different to form different products.
1. Oxidation of Primary Alcohol
The overview of the oxidation of primary alcohols and reduction of aldehydes and carboxylic acids to form primary alcohols is as shown.
There are 5 reactions in total.
a. Controlled oxidation of primary alcohol to aldehyde via K2Cr2O7 in dilute H2SO4, reflux with immediate distillation
b. Oxidation of aldehyde to carboxylic acid via KMnO4 or K2Cr2O7 in dilute H2SO4, heat or reflux.
c. Oxidation of primary alcohol to carboxylic acid via KMnO4 or K2Cr2O7 in dilute H2SO4, heat or reflux.
d. Reduction of aldehyde to primary alcohol via NaBH4(aq) at room temperature, or LiAlH4 in dry ether followed by water at room temperature, or H2(g) in Pt catalyst, heat.
e. Reduction of carboxylic acid to primary alcohol via LiAlH4 in dry ether followed by water at room temperature.
2. Oxidation of Secondary Alcohol
Secondary alcohol can be oxidised to ketone via KMnO4 or K2Cr2O7 in dilute H2SO4, heat or reflux.
Conversely ketone can be reduced to secondary alcohol via NaBH4(aq) at room temperature, or LiAlH4 in dry ether followed by water at room temperature, or H2(g) in Pt catalyst, heat.
3. Oxidation of Tertiary Alcohol
Tertiary alcohols are resistant to oxidation as the alcohol carbon has no hydrogen to lose, hence cannot be oxidised.
For the detailed discussion of oxidation of primary alcohols, secondary alcohols and tertiary alcohols, and the reduction of carbonyl compounds and carboxylic acids to form alcohols, check out this video!
It's also important to know how to determine the oxidation state of carbon in organic compounds.
Topic: Alcohols, Organic Chemistry, A Level Chemistry, Singapore
Back to other previous Organic Chemistry Video Lessons.
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