Question

Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) is used to test alcohols. Mark the correct option(s) about it:

• A. Oxidation state of Ce in it is +6
• B. Coordination number of Ce in it is 12
• C. It can oxidize alcohols where Ce is reduced to +3
• D. It has octahedral geometry

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

The correct options are
B Coordination number of Ce in it is 12
C It can oxidize alcohols where Ce is reduced to +3

$\left(N{H}_4{)}_2\right[Ce\left(N{O}_3{)}_6\right]$ has coordination no 12 with icosahedron geometry. It has $Ce$ in +4 oxidation state. $C{e}^{4+}$ is strong one-electron oxidising agent which oxidises alcohols and gets reduced to $C{e}^{3+}$.