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Organic conversion

Ethanol to ethanoic acid

1 step: oxidation

Class 12, Chapter 7 Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

  1. OH
    EthanolCH₃CH₂OHAlcohol
  2. Step 1

    KMnO₄, KOH, heat; then H₃O⁺

    i

    Alkaline KMnO₄ oxidises a primary alcohol all the way to the acid.

    Also written: K₂Cr₂O₇, H₂SO₄

    OOH
    Ethanoic acidCH₃COOHCarboxylic acid

Exam answer

  1. Step 1: Ethanol to ethanoic acid: KMnO₄, KOH, heat; then H₃O⁺.
Alternative routes (2)
  • Ethanol → Ethanal → Ethanoic acid
    1. Ethanol to ethanal: PCC.
    2. Ethanal to ethanoic acid: KMnO₄, dilute H₂SO₄.
  • Ethanol → Ethanal → Butan-2-ol → But-2-ene → Ethanoic acid
    1. Ethanol to ethanal: PCC.
    2. Ethanal to butan-2-ol: (i) C₂H₅MgBr, dry ether (ii) H₂O.
    3. Butan-2-ol to but-2-ene: 85% H₃PO₄, 440 K.
    4. But-2-ene to ethanoic acid: hot acidified KMnO₄.
Why these reagents

Reagent and reason, step by step

  • Step 1: Ethanol to ethanoic acid: KMnO₄, KOH, heat; then H₃O⁺ Alkaline KMnO₄ oxidises a primary alcohol all the way to the acid.
Questions

Ethanol to ethanoic acid: quick answers

How many steps does it take to convert ethanol to ethanoic acid?

1 step: Ethanol, then ethanoic acid.

Which named reaction is used to convert ethanol to ethanoic acid?

None of the steps has a name. They are oxidation, so write the reagent and the condition for each step.

What is the reagent for step 1 of ethanol to ethanoic acid?

Ethanol to ethanoic acid: KMnO₄, KOH, heat; then H₃O⁺. Alkaline KMnO₄ oxidises a primary alcohol all the way to the acid.

Plan your own conversion