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Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives

Preparing carboxylic acids by oxidation

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Observed as alkaline potassium manganate(VII) oxidises a methyl side-chain, organic product of oxidising ethylbenzene with hot alkaline potassium manganate(VII) and why benzene itself is unaffected by hot alkaline potassium manganate(VII).

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Write the equation, using [O] for the oxidising agent, for the oxidation of propanal to propanoic acid.

Key term

Name an oxidising agent other than acidified potassium dichromate(VI) that converts a primary alcohol into a carboxylic acid.

Key term

State the colour change seen when acidified potassium manganate(VII) oxidises a primary alcohol.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Write the equation, using [O] for the oxidising agent, for the oxidation of propanal to propanoic acid.

    Model answer

    CH₃CH₂CHO + [O] → CH₃CH₂COOH.

  2. 2

    Name an oxidising agent other than acidified potassium dichromate(VI) that converts a primary alcohol into a carboxylic acid.

    Model answer

    Acidified potassium manganate(VII) will carry out the same oxidation.

  3. 3

    State the colour change seen when acidified potassium manganate(VII) oxidises a primary alcohol.

    Model answer

    The purple colour of the manganate(VII) ion fades to almost colourless as it is reduced to the manganese(II) ion.

  4. 4

    State the reagent and conditions used to oxidise a methyl side-chain on a benzene ring.

    Model answer

    The arene is heated under reflux with alkaline potassium manganate(VII), and the mixture is then acidified.

  5. 5

    Write the equation, using [O], for the oxidation of methylbenzene to benzoic acid.

    Model answer

    C₆H₅CH₃ + 3[O] → C₆H₅COOH + H₂O.

  6. 6

    Give the name and formula of the product of oxidising methylbenzene.

    Model answer

    The product is benzoic acid, C₆H₅COOH.

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