Question

Which of the statements applies to oxidation?

(A) Ketones cannot be oxidized further.
(B) Carboxylic acids are oxidized to ketones.
(C) Alcohols are oxidized to alkanes.
(D) Ketones are oxidized to alcohols.

Answer 1

The correct option is: (A) Ketones cannot be oxidized further

Step-by-step explanation:

Oxidation refers to the gain of oxygen or the formation of carbon-oxygen bond (C-O bond).

Alcohols are organic compounds containing at least one hydroxyl group. These compounds can be further classified into primary (R-CH₂-OH), secondary (R¹R²CH-OH) and tertiary alcohols (R¹R²R³C-OH).

• The partial oxidation of primary alcohol gives aldehyde (R-CHO). Further oxidation of aldehyds gives carboxylic acid (R-COOH). Primary alcohol can also be oxidized directly to carboxylic acid. However, the carboxylic acid can not be further oxidized.

`R-CH_(2)-OH \overset{[O]}{\rightarrow} R-CHO \overset{[O]}{\rightarrow} R-COOH \\R-CH_(2)-OH \overset{[O]}{\rightarrow} R-COOH`

• Oxidation of secondary alcohols gives ketones (R¹R²C=O), which can not be oxidized further.

`R^(1)R^(2)CH-OH \overset{[O]}{\rightarrow} R^(1)R^(2)C=O`

• Whereas, tertiary alcohols are resistant to oxidation.

Therefore, the correct statement regarding oxidation is (A) Ketones cannot be oxidized further.