
Oxidation of Alcohols to Aldehydes
Oxidation of Alcohols
Reaction type: Oxidation-Reduction
Summary
Cr OXIDATION OF ALCOHOLS |
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The mechanism is not trivial, so attention here is focussed on the actual oxidation step. Prior to this, the alcohol reacts to form a chromate ester (shown). A base (here a water molecule) abstracts a proton from the chromate ester, the C=O forms and a Cr species leaves.
This demonstrates the importance of the carbinol H to this mechanism. |
What type of reaction could the oxidation step be decribed as ? ANSWER
What is the oxidation state of Cr in chromic acid ? ANSWER
What is the oxidation state of the Cr in the chromate ester intermediate ? ANSWER
What is the oxidation state of the Cr in the "leaving group", HCrO3- ? ANSWER
Study Tip:
If you see Cr reagents, you are probably looking at an oxidation reaction.
Most likely the oxidation of an alcohol or an aldehyde