Why is the conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid an oxidation reaction?
Answer
The conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid is an oxidation because oxygen is added to the molecule and hydrogen is removed, increasing the oxidation state of carbon.
The working
The reaction
Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) is converted to ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH) using an oxidising agent such as alkaline KMnO₄ or acidified K₂Cr₂O₇ with heat.
Addition of oxygen
During the reaction, an extra oxygen atom is added to the molecule as the −CH₂OH group is changed into a −COOH group.
Why oxidation
Since oxidation is defined as the gain of oxygen or loss of hydrogen, this change fits the definition of an oxidation reaction exactly.
Role of reagent
The KMnO₄ or K₂Cr₂O₇ supplies the oxygen and acts as the oxidising agent, so these are called oxidising agents.
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