Question

Describe two examples of different oxidations of ethanol. Name the products obtained in each case.(All India - 2011)

Answer 1

The two different example oxidations of ethanol are:

*When ethanol is burnt readily in air with blue flame.

• The product obtained are carbon dioxide, water and release of heat and light.

hence the chemical reaction is

combustion

C2H5OH + 3O2---------- 2CO2+3

* When ethanol is heated with alkaline.

Potassium Permagnate solution KMnO4 or potassium dichromate solution K2Cr2O7, the ethanol is oxidized to form the product as Ethanoic acid.

Answer 2

Two examples of different oxidations of ethanol are as follows:  

(i) When Ethanol is burnt readily in the air with a blue flame

• The products obtained are carbon dioxide, water, and the release of heat and light.  

• The chemical reaction for the same is :

        C₂H₅OH + 3O₂ ------> 2CO₂ + 3H₂O + heat +light

(ii) When Ethanol is heated with alkaline Potassium Permanganate solution (KMnO₄) or Potassium dichromate solution (K₂Cr₂O₇ )

• The product obtained is Ethanoic acid along with water.

• The chemical reaction for the same is :  

        C₂H₅OH + 2[O] ------> CH₃COOH + H₂O