Question

Complete the following reaction:
$C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}OH+2\left[O\right]\underset{KMn{O}_4}{\overset{alk}{\to }}{H}_{2}O+$ ___ .

• A. $C{H}_{3}COOH$
• B. $HCOOH$
• C. $C{H}_{3}COC{H}_3$
• D. $C{H}_{3}OH$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $C{H}_{3}COOH$

Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidising agent. When ethanol $\left(C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}OH\right)$ is heated in an alkaline solution of ${\text{KMnO}}_4$, it donates nascent oxygen and hence, the compound is converted into ethanoic acid $\left(C{H}_{3}COOH\right)$.
$C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}OH\left(aq\right)+2\left[O\right]\left(g\right)\stackrel{alkalineKMn{O}_4}{\to }{H}_{2}O+C{H}_{3}COOH\left(aq\right)$