Question

Why is the conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid an oxidation reaction?

Answer 1

Oxidation and reduction reaction

• An oxidation-reduction reaction (redox reaction) is a chemical process in which electrons are transferred between two reactants that are involved.
• The oxidation reaction is a process in which oxygen is gained, or hydrogen is lost.
• The reduction reaction is one in which hydrogen is gained, or oxygen is lost.

Conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid is an oxidation reaction

• The formation of ethanol is to remove one hydrogen molecule from ethanol.
• The addition of an oxygen atom to ethanal produces ethanoic acid.
• The reaction is as follows:

${\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}+2\left[\mathrm{O}\right]\stackrel{\mathrm{Alk}.{\mathrm{KMnO}}_4}{\to }{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$

• Since the hydrogen atom is removed and oxygen is added, ethanol is transformed to ethanoic acid, which is an oxidation process.