Final answer:
Yes, (CH3CH2)2CHOH can be oxidized by K2Cr2O7 to form a ketone. During this chemical reaction, the color change from orange to green indicates the occurrence of the oxidation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking whether (CH3CH2)2CHOH can be oxidized using K2Cr2O7 (potassium dichromate). The answer is yes, secondary alcohols like this one can be oxidized by potassium dichromate in an acidic medium. This results in the formation of a ketone. The general reaction for the oxidation of a secondary alcohol using potassium dichromate is:
- R2CHOH + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 → R2CO + Cr2(SO4)3 + K2SO4 + H2O
Where R represents an alkyl group. In the case of (CH3CH2)2CHOH, the R group is CH3CH2 (ethyl), and the specific reaction is as follows:
- (CH3CH2)2CHOH + K2Cr2O7 + H2SO4 → (CH3CH2)2CO + other products
During the process, the orange color of dichromate ion Cr2O72- changes to the green color of the chromium (III) ion (Cr3+), indicating that the oxidization has taken place.