Final answer:
The oxidation of 3-ethyl-2-hexanol, a secondary alcohol, results in the formation of a ketone named 3-ethyl-2-hexanone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major product formed in the oxidation reaction of 3-ethyl-2-hexanol is a ketone, because 3-ethyl-2-hexanol is a secondary alcohol. When secondary alcohols undergo oxidation, they typically transform into ketones rather than aldehydes or carboxylic acids.
The reaction would likely involve an oxidizing agent such as potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) to facilitate the oxidation process. Following the IUPAC rules for naming ketones, the oxidation product of 3-ethyl-2-hexanol would be named 3-ethyl-2-hexanone.
The oxidation of alcohols is a chemical reaction where alcohols are converted into other compounds by gaining or losing oxygen or electrons. The extent and nature of the oxidation depend on the type of alcohol and the oxidizing agent used.
There are three types of alcohols: primary (1°), secondary (2°), and tertiary (3°), each reacting differently upon oxidation.