Question

Answer the questions based on the equation below:

\[\ce{CH3 - CH2 - OH ->[{[O]}][K2Cr2O7/H2SO4] CH3 - COOH}\]

1. What type of reaction is it?
2. What is the role of the chemical written on the arrow?
3. Give one example of one such type of chemical as in answer (b).

Answer 1

1. Oxidation reaction.
2. The acidic potassium dichromate makes oxygen available for the oxidation of the reactant ethyl alcohol. Such chemical substances which bring about an oxidation reaction by making oxygen available are called oxidants or oxidizing agents.
3. Potassium permanganate (KMnO₄/H₂SO₄).