The oxidation of propan-2-ol with acidified potassium dichromate gives

  • A. propanal
  • B. propanoic acid
  • C. propene
  • D. propanone

Explanation

Propan-2-ol is a secondary alcohol, so oxidation removes the single hydrogen on the carbinol carbon and leaves a ketone, which resists further oxidation because no hydrogen remains on that carbon. A primary alcohol would give an aldehyde and then an acid. This difference in oxidation product is the standard way of identifying the class of an unknown alcohol.

Related questions