Question

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

[2 Marks]
[Ethanol and Ethanoic acid]

Answer 1

Solution:
The conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid is as follows:
${\text{CH}}_3{\text{CH}}_2\text{OH}\stackrel{{\text{Alkaline KMnO}}_4}{\to }{\text{CH}}_3\text{COOH}$
[1 Mark]
In this reaction one oxygen is added to ethanol, hence it is an oxidation reaction.
[1 Mark]