Question

What happen when 5% alkaline KMNO4 solution is added drop by drop to warm ethanol taken in a test tube. State the role of alkaline KMNO4 solution in this reaction.

Answer 1

it turns to ethanoic acid due to the presence of KMnO4 it act as a oxidising agent which convert alcohol to acid

Answer 2

it act as a catalyst and produces nascent oxygen.
ethanol+nascent O2 gives ethanoic acid +water