Question

Which of the following oxidising agents can be used to convert Ethanol to Ethanoic acid?

• A. $H^{+}/K_{2}C{r}_2{O}_7$
• B. $H^{+}/KMn{O}_4$
• C. $Cr{O}_3/aq.H_{2}S{O}_4/\text{acetone (Jone's reagent)}$
• D. $Cr{O}_3$

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

$Cr{O}_3/aq.H_{2}S{O}_4/\text{acetone (Jone's reagent)}$

$KMn{O}_4,K_{2}C{r}_2{O}_7\text{and}Cr{O}_3$ all three are strong oxidizing agent when used along with $H_{2}S{O}_4,H_{2}O$.
Primary alcohols can be oxidized to either aldehydes or carboxylic acids depending on the reaction conditions.
The alcohol is first oxidized to an aldehyde which is then oxidized further to the carboxylic acid.
So, A, B and D can oxidise ethanol to ethanoic acid.
While $Cr{O}_3$ give an acetaldehyde.