Primary alcohols usually give us aldehydes when oxidized in the presence of Na2Cr3O7, what will the product be, when the secondary alcohols are oxidized in the same conditions?

Correct answer: D. Ketones

  • A. Alkenes
  • B. Alkynes
  • C. Alkyl halides
  • D. Ketones

Explanation

When secondary alcohols are oxidized with Na2Cr2O7 in the presence of H2SO4, they are converted to ketones. This process does not go beyond the ketone stage as further oxidation of ketones is not possible under these conditions. In contrast, primary alcohols are oxidized to aldehydes, and further oxidation leads to the formation of carboxylic acids. The oxidation of secondary alcohols does not lead to the formation of alkenes, alkynes, or alkyl halides because these functional groups do not contain an carbonyl group that is oxidized functional group of -OH group.

This question appeared on the UHS MDCAT 2012 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.

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About Alcohols

Alcohols contain a hydroxyl group attached to a saturated carbon atom and are classified as primary, secondary or tertiary. Their nomenclature, hydrogen bonding, acidity, oxidation, dehydration, reaction with sodium and conversion to haloalkanes are covered, along with the distinction between alcohols and phenols, where the hydroxyl group is attached directly to an aromatic ring.

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