Tertiary alcohols cannot be oxidized due to the structural requirement of breaking a C-C bond, which is energetically unfavorable. In contrast, primary and secondary alcohols can be oxidized because they involve the breaking of a C-H bond, a process that is more energetically favorable. The discussion clarifies that the presence of a C-H bond in primary and secondary alcohols facilitates oxidation, while tertiary alcohols lack this capability due to their bonding structure.
PREREQUISITESChemistry students, organic chemists, and anyone interested in understanding the limitations of oxidation reactions in alcohols.
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.