Ans: Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) undergoes oxidation to form ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH) in the presence of a strong oxidizing agent, such as:
✔ Alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) + heat 🔥
✔ Acidified potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇ + H₂SO₄) + heat
Chemical Equation:
![CH₃CH₂OH + 2[O] → CH₃COOH + H₂O](http://6to12teach.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Screenshot-437.png)
Here, [O] represents the oxygen supplied by the oxidizing agent, converting ethanol (C₂H₅OH) into ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH).
Ethanol 🆚 Ethanoic acid
| Property | Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) | Ethanoic Acid (CH₃COOH) |
| Chemical Formula | C₂H₅OH | CH₃COOH |
| Structure | CH₃-CH₂-OH (Hydroxyl group attached to an ethyl group) | CH₃-COOH (Carboxyl group attached to a methyl group) |
| Functional Group | Hydroxyl (-OH) | Carboxyl (-COOH) |
| State | Liquid at room temperature | Liquid at room temperature |
| Smell | Mild, pleasant alcohol-like odor | Strong, pungent vinegar-like odor |
| pH | Neutral to slightly acidic | Acidic |
| Uses | Solvent, alcoholic beverages, disinfectant, fuel additive | Vinegar, food preservative, solvent, chemical manufacturing |
| Reactivity | Can be oxidized to form ethanoic acid | Reacts with bases to form salts (acetates) |
| Boiling Point | 78.37°C (173.1°F) | 118.1°C (244.5°F) |
| Solubility in Water | Completely miscible | Completely miscible, gives acidic solution |
Related FAQs
🔹 Ethanol oxidizes to ethanoic acid in the presence of a strong oxidizing agent like acidified potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) or alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) under heating.
🔹 The reaction is:
(Ethanol → Ethanal → Ethanoic acid)
🔹 Potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) in acidic medium acts as an oxidizing agent, providing oxygen atoms to convert ethanol into ethanoic acid. It also changes color from orange to green due to the reduction of Cr⁶⁺ to Cr³⁺.
🔹 Yes, in the presence of air and certain bacteria (Acetobacter), ethanol slowly oxidizes to ethanoic acid, which is the basis of vinegar formation.
🔹 This reaction is essential in:
✅ Vinegar production (ethanoic acid is the main component).
✅ Alcohol metabolism in the human body (liver enzymes oxidize ethanol).
✅ Industrial synthesis of acetic acid for food and chemical industries.
