Final answer:
The oxidation of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone involves removing two hydrogens from cyclohexanol using an oxidant such as chromic acid, converting the secondary alcohol into a ketone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The oxidation of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone involves the removal of two hydrogen atoms to form the ketone functionality. A common agent for this oxidation is an inorganic oxidant such as chromic acid (CrO3) or potassium permanganate (KMnO4).
During the oxidizing process, the secondary alcohol (cyclohexanol) is transformed as the hydroxyl group (OH) is replaced with an oxygen atom, which then double bonds with the carbon, forming the ketone (cyclohexanone). This transformation is facilitated by the oxidant, which abstracts the two hydrogen atoms. The mechanism typically proceeds through the formation of a chromate ester intermediate (in the case of chromium-based oxidants), which then undergoes a reorganization, releasing the oxidized product and the reduced form of the oxidant.