What Are the Oxidation Products of Butan-2-ol?

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SUMMARY

The oxidation of butan-2-ol, a secondary alcohol, results in butanone when partially oxidized. Complete oxidation of butan-2-ol leads to the formation of butanoic acid. Secondary alcohols, such as butan-2-ol, can only be oxidized to ketones, while primary alcohols undergo a two-step oxidation process to yield aldehydes and then carboxylic acids. It is important to note that complete oxidation can theoretically yield carbon dioxide (4CO2) as a byproduct.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of secondary alcohols and their oxidation processes
  • Knowledge of organic chemistry oxidation reactions
  • Familiarity with the structures of butan-2-ol, butanone, and butanoic acid
  • Basic grasp of carbon oxidation states and byproducts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the oxidation mechanisms of secondary alcohols in organic chemistry
  • Learn about the properties and reactions of butanone and butanoic acid
  • Explore the differences between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols in oxidation
  • Investigate the complete oxidation process and its byproducts, including CO2
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, organic chemists, and anyone interested in the oxidation reactions of alcohols will benefit from this discussion.

memsces
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[SOLVED] Oxidation of secondary alcohols

I need help on the oxidation of alcohols.

I want to know if butan-2-ol was partially oxidised would it result in butanone.

Also what does the full oxidation of butan-2-ol result in? (I think it is butanoic acid but I am not sure. )
 
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butan-2-ol is a secondary alcohol (middle of the chain) and can only oxidize to the ketone, butanone. A primary (end of the chain) can fully oxidize to the acid.
 
primary alcohols are first oxidised to aldehydes, then further oxidised to carboxylic acids.
secondary alcohols are oxidised only to ketones.

As long as there are more than 1 hydrogen atom on the carbon atom containing the OH group, oxidation can occur. (hope I'm right for this one)
 
Sounds good. If you want to be pedantic about it, you could argue that the complete oxidation would yield 4CO2, however.
 

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