Chemistry – Organic chemistry - Carboxylic acids | e-Consult
Organic chemistry - Carboxylic acids (1 questions)
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The reaction of ethanol with acidified potassium manganate(VII) (KMnO4) is a chemical oxidation process that converts ethanol into ethanoic acid (CH3COOH). The reaction is represented by the following equation:
| Reaction Equation: |
CH3CH2OH (ethanol) + KMnO4 (acidified) → CH3COOH (ethanoic acid) + MnO2 + KOH + H2O
The reaction requires an acid catalyst, typically dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The acid catalyst plays a crucial role in the following ways:
- Protonation of Ethanol: The acid protonates the hydroxyl group (-OH) of ethanol, making it a better leaving group (water). This facilitates the oxidation process.
- Oxidation of Intermediate Species: The acid helps to oxidize the intermediate species formed during the reaction, preventing the formation of unwanted byproducts.
- Maintaining Reaction Rate: The acid helps to maintain a suitable pH for the reaction to proceed at a reasonable rate.
Manganate(VII) (MnO4-) acts as the oxidizing agent. It is reduced to manganese(II) oxide (MnO2) in the process. The MnO2 often appears as a purple precipitate.