Question

Answer the following question.
Why is the conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid considered an oxidation reaction? Write the oxidizing agent used in the reaction involved.

Answer 1

In the conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid, a very strong oxidizing agent alkaline potassium permanganate is used which donates oxygen to the ethanol to form ethanoic acid. Since the addition of oxygen to a compound is termed as oxidation, this reaction is considered as an oxidation reaction.
In this process, the oxidizing agent used is alkaline potassium permanganate.