Why is the conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid an oxidation reaction ? Name the oxidising agent used in…
Why is the conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid an oxidation reaction ? Name the oxidising agent used in this conversion. Write chemical equation for this oxidation reaction. How is this reaction different from the reaction in which ethanol burns in the presence of oxygen ?
Solution
Oxygen is added to ethanol to produce ethanoic acid.
Alkaline potassium permanganate or Acidified potassium dichromate
CH3-CH2OH --(Alkaline KMnO4+Heat / Or acidified K2Cr2O7+Heat)→ CH3COOH
It is oxidation reaction while other is combustion reaction/burning of ethanol is exothermic while other is endothermic.