How could you obtain a carboxylic acid from oxidation of an alcohol and what type of alcohol would be suitable?

Primary alcohol is the only alcohol which can fully oxidise as it first oxidises to an aldehyde and this can be further oxidised to a carboxylic acid. This is not possible with 20 alcohols as they oxidise to ketones which cannot be further oxidised due to the lack of a place for the oxygen to bond. 30 cannot oxidise whatsoever.To obtain a carboxylic acid from a primary alcohol you must add oxidising agent for example potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7/H+ ). Then place this solution under reflux and the resulting product will be a carboxylic acid.

SH
Answered by Samuel H. Chemistry tutor

2020 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why does phenol readily undergo electrophilic substitution but benzene does not without the aid of a catalyst?


Suggest why the concentration of sodium hydroxide in a solution slowly decreases when left open to air


Explain the trend in boiling points for the group 6 hydrides (O,S,Se,Te). Diagram would be included.


Calculate the percentage, by mass, of carbon in cyclohexane. Give your answer to two significant figures.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning