Question

Which of the following is oxidised by $KMn{O}_4$?

• A. Methane
• B. Pentane
• C. Isobutane
• D. Neopentane

Answer 1

The correct option is C Isobutane

Controlled oxidation is a process of heating the substance with a regulated supply of $O_2$/air at high pressure, in the presence of a catalyst to produce various oxidation products.
The given reaction is a controlled oxidation reaction.
Generally, alkanes resist oxidation but alkanes having $3^o$ H atom can be oxidized to alcohol by $KMn{O}_4$
Here, Isobutane $\left(3^{\circ }\right)$ is oxidised by $KMn{O}_4$ to tertiary butyl alcohol.
$(C{H}_3{)}_{3}CH\stackrel{KMn{O}_4}{⟶}\underset{\text{tertiary butyl alcohol}}{(C{H}_3{)}_{3}C-OH}$