Acetaldehyde undergoes oxidation to produce acetic acid. In this reaction the oxidizing agent used is:

Correct answer: C. K2Cr2O7

  • A. HI
  • B. LiAlH4
  • C. K2Cr2O7
  • D. NaBH4

Explanation

Acidified potassium dichromate is the standard oxidising agent for converting an aldehyde to a carboxylic acid, turning from orange to green as chromium is reduced from plus 6 to plus 3. Lithium aluminium hydride and sodium borohydride are reducing agents and would drive the reaction the other way, back towards the alcohol. Hydrogen iodide is a reducing agent as well.

This question appeared on the UHS MDCAT 2025 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.

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About Reactivity of Aldehydes and Ketones

The polar carbonyl group makes aldehydes and ketones undergo nucleophilic addition, reduction and condensation reactions. Aldehydes are generally more reactive and oxidise readily to carboxylic acids, whereas ketones resist mild oxidation; reactions with hydrogen cyanide, sodium bisulfite and 2,4-DNP help identify their behaviour.

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