Ahhhhhhhhh so it’s just the presence of a C-H bond which allows oxidation to occur obviously in tertiary the OH group is attached to a carbon bonded to 3 other carbons, ok ok thank youHyperfine said:Oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols require what is in essence the breaking of a C-H bond. Oxidation of a tertiary alcohol would require the breaking of a C-C bond.
Energetics strongly disfavor the latter process.
Oxidation of tertiary alcohols is a chemical reaction that involves the removal of hydrogen atoms from the carbon atom bonded to three other carbon atoms. This results in the formation of a ketone or aldehyde compound.
Unlike primary and secondary alcohols, tertiary alcohols do not have a hydrogen atom attached to the carbon atom bonded to the hydroxyl group. This makes it more difficult for the oxidation reaction to occur, and often requires the use of strong oxidizing agents.
Some common oxidizing agents used for the oxidation of tertiary alcohols include potassium permanganate, chromium trioxide, and Jones reagent. These agents are strong enough to remove the hydrogen atom from the carbon atom bonded to three other carbon atoms.
The products of the oxidation of tertiary alcohols depend on the strength of the oxidizing agent used. In general, the reaction will result in the formation of a ketone or aldehyde compound, along with water as a byproduct.
The oxidation of tertiary alcohols has many practical applications in organic synthesis. It can be used to convert tertiary alcohols into ketones or aldehydes, which are important building blocks for many organic compounds. This reaction is also commonly used in the production of pharmaceuticals, fragrances, and other industrial products.