oxidation of secondary and primary alcohols

Question 1

What catalyst do we use to oxidize a secondary alcohol?

Answer 1

Acidified potassium dichromate

Question 2

What colour change do we expect when oxidizing a secondary alcohol?

Answer 2

orange to green

Question 3

What is produced when we oxidize a secondary alcohol?

Answer 3

A ketone and water

Question 4

Why can we not oxidize ketones further?

Answer 4

During oxidation, we remove a hydrogen atom from the carbon atom bonded to the alcohol group. The ketone has no more hydrogen atoms to lose

Question 5

How do we oxidize a secondary alcohol?

Answer 5

Heat reactants under reflux to ensure that as much of the ketone is formed as possible

Question 6

What do we have at the end of oxidation of secondary alcohol?

Answer 6

Ketone and water but also unreacted alcohol and oxidizing agent, we we use distillation to separate our mixture

Question 7

Why do ketones have a low boiling point?

Answer 7

They cannot form hydrogen bonds so they’re volatile

Question 8

Why can we not oxidize a tertiary alcohol under normal lab conditions?

Answer 8

The carbon atom bonded to the alcohol group has no hydrogens to lose