Ethanoic acid can be prepared by the oxidation of
- A. ethanol under reflux with acidified potassium dichromate
- B. ethene with bromine water
- C. propanone with Tollens reagent
- D. ethane with oxygen at room temperature
Explanation
Refluxing keeps the intermediate ethanal in the flask so that oxidation continues to the acid, whereas distilling the product off as it forms would stop the reaction at the aldehyde. The dichromate turns from orange to green as it is reduced. Vinegar is made industrially by the bacterial oxidation of ethanol instead.