O Levels Chemistry (5070)•5070/11/O/N/24

Explanation
Primary alcohol oxidation to carboxylic acid Steps:
- Identify CH3CH2OH as ethanol, but context suggests propan-1-ol (CH3CH2CH2OH) for matching choices; reaction 1 likely labels it as X.
- Recognize reaction 2 uses KMnO4, a strong oxidizing agent for primary alcohols.
- Primary alcohols oxidize first to aldehydes, then to carboxylic acids with excess KMnO4.
- Thus, X (propan-1-ol) yields Y (propanoic acid, a carboxylic acid).
Why A is correct:
- Propan-1-ol (primary alcohol) oxidizes to propanoic acid, fitting the carboxylic acid type per oxidation rules.
Why the others are wrong:
- B: Y is carboxylic acid, not ester (esters form from alcohol + acid, not oxidation).
- C: Starting formula indicates C3 chain (propan-1-ol), not C4 (butan-1-ol).
- D: Wrong alcohol name and Y type (not ester).
Final answer: A
Topic: Alcohols
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