Question

Convert ethanol to acetone

Answer 1

The following steps are to be followed to convert ethanol (C₂H₅OH) to acetone (CH₃COCH₃) :

Step 1) Oxidation of ethanol to ethanoic acid :

C₂H₅OH + alk.KMnO₄ → CH₃COOH (ethanoic acid)

Alkaline KMnO₄ is a strong oxidising agent. Ethanol is first oxidised into ethanoic acid by treating it  with alkaline KMnO₄.

Step 2) Conversion of ethanoic acid to calcium acetate :

CH₃COOH + Ca(OH)₂ → Ca(CH₃COO)₂ (calcium acetate)

Ethanoic acid is then reacted with calcium hydroxide to form calcium acetate.

Step 3) Heating of calcium acetate :

Ca(CH₃COO)₂ + ∆  → CH₃COCH₃ (acetone) + CaCO₃

Further, on heating calcium acetate, it decomposes into calcium carbonate and acetone.