Question

${\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}(\mathrm{alkaline}{\mathrm{KMnO}}_4+\mathrm{Heat})\to {\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$ In the above-given reaction, alkaline KMnO4 acts as:

• A. Reducing agent
• B. Oxidizing agent
• C. Catalyst
• D. Dehydrating agent

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Oxidizing agent

Answer: (b) oxidizing agent

Alkaline KMnO₄ acts as an oxidizing agent as it oxidizes ethanol to form ethanoic acid. Two Hydrogen atoms are replaced by an atom of oxygen making oxidation of ethanol. Here the addition of oxygen is provided by potassium.

Oxidizing agent: Oxidizing agents are those chemical compounds or elements that have the ability to be reduced by accepting hydrogens or we can say electrons and letting the next compound be oxidized by giving them either oxygen or electrons.

The explanation for the incorrect option:

Option A:
Reducing agent:

A substance which loses electrons to other substances in a redox reaction and gets oxidised to a higher valency state is called a reducing agent.

For example, in the given reaction;

${\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{F}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\to 2\mathrm{HF}\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$
Hydrogen acts as a reducing agent because it donates its electrons to fluorine, which allows fluorine to be reduced.

Option C:
Catalyst: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change is called a catalyst.

Option D:
A substance that can remove water from other substances is known as dehydrating agent

Therefore Option A is the correct option.