A Levels Chemistry (9701)•9701/13/O/N/24
Explanation
Secondary alcohols oxidize to one ketone product
Steps:
- Classify alcohols: primary (OH on CH2OH), secondary (OH on CHOH), tertiary (OH on COH).
- Primary alcohols oxidize stepwise to aldehyde then carboxylic acid under dilute conditions, yielding two products.
- Secondary alcohols oxidize to one ketone, as no further oxidation occurs.
- Tertiary alcohols resist oxidation, giving no product.
Why B is correct:
- Butan-2-ol (CH3CH(OH)CH2CH3) is secondary, oxidizing solely to butan-2-one (CH3COCH2CH3).
Why the others are wrong:
- A. Butan-1-ol is primary, oxidizes to butanal then butanoic acid.
- C. 2-Methylpropan-1-ol is primary, oxidizes to 2-methylpropanal then 2-methylpropanoic acid.
- D. 2-Methylpropan-2-ol is tertiary, undergoes no oxidation.
Final answer: B
Topic: Hydroxy compounds
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