Question

Acetic acid, ethanol, acetaldehyde and ethane form a series of 2-carbon molecules which differ in their extent of oxidation. Convert ethanol to the next more reduced form in that ordered series. HelpMarvin JS

Answer 1

$CH_3CH_2OH$  →  $CH_3CHO$

Explanation:

Ethanol can be oxidized to ethanal or acetaldehyde which is further oxidized to acid that is acetic acid.

$CH_3CH_2OH$→  $CH_3CHO$ [oxidation by loss of hydrogen]

• An oxidizing agent potassium dichromate(VI) solution is used to remove the hydrogen from the ethanol.  

• An oxidizing agent used along with dilute sulphuric acid for acidification.

Acetaldehyde can also be reduced back to ethanol again by adding hydrogen to it by using a reducing agent that is sodium tetrahydro borate, NaBH4.

• The oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids can be done by the two-step process.  

• In the first step, one molecule of water is added in the presence of a catalyst that is acidic.

• There is a generation of a hydrate. (geminal 1,1-diol).

     $CH_3CHO$  →  $CH_3CH_2COOH$ [reduction by the gain of electrons]

Here, the oxidizing agent used is$Cr_3O$ in the presence of acetone.