The conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid is an oxidation reaction why

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the conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid is an oxidation reaction why

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Why is the Conversion of Ethanol to Ethanoic Acid an Oxidation Reaction?

Answer:

The conversion of ethanol (C₂H₅OH) to ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH) is a quintessential example of an oxidation reaction in organic chemistry. This transformation involves the chemical process where ethanol undergoes a change in its oxidation state, resulting in the formation of ethanoic acid.

Step 1: Understanding Oxidation

Oxidation is defined as a chemical reaction that involves the loss of electrons or an increase in the oxidation state of an atom or molecule. In organic chemistry, oxidation often involves the addition of oxygen or the removal of hydrogen from a molecule.

Step 2: The Chemical Transformation

  1. Ethanol (C₂H₅OH):

    • In ethanol, the carbon atom attached to the hydroxyl group (-OH) is in a lower oxidation state. For ethanol, the carbon atoms are partially saturated with hydrogen atoms, meaning they have more hydrogen atoms and fewer bonds to oxygen.

  2. Ethanoic Acid (CH₃COOH):

    • In ethanoic acid (acetic acid), the carbon connected to the oxygen atom in the carbonyl group (C=O) is in a higher oxidation state compared to ethanol. This is due to the carbon’s additional bonds to oxygen, reflecting an increase in the number of bonds to oxygen through carbon-oxygen double bonds.

The conversion can be represented by the following chemical equation:

\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} + \text{[O]} \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{H}_2\text{O}

Step 3: Mechanism of Oxidation

  • Primary Alcohol to Aldehyde to Carboxylic Acid:
    • Ethanol, a primary alcohol, is initially oxidized to form acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO), an aldehyde. This is an oxidation reaction because it involves the removal of hydrogen atoms.
    • The further oxidation of acetaldehyde results in the formation of acetic acid (CH₃COOH), a carboxylic acid, through the addition of oxygen (forming the carboxyl group, -COOH).

Final Answer:

The conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid is an oxidation reaction because it involves the increase in the number of bonds between carbon and oxygen atoms, indicative of electron loss from carbon. This process represents the progressive transformation from a less oxidized carbon state in ethanol to a more oxidized state in ethanoic acid.