Question

How would you convert:

Propanol into propanoic acid.

Name the process in the given case and write the equations of the reactions involved.

Answer 1

 Propanol is converted into propanoic acid by the oxidation reaction.
 The chemical equation for the above reaction is as follows:
 CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-OH → CH₃CH₂COOH
Propanol is oxidised to propanoic acid in the presence of alkaline potassium permanganate solution (alkaline KMnO₄). Alkaline potassium permanganate solution acts as an oxidising agent as it adds oxygen to convert propanol to propanoic acid.