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Which of the Following Gives Acetone on Oxidation?

When studying organic chemistry, particularly in the context of oxidation reactions, one common query that arises is: "Which of the following gives acetone on oxidation?" Acetone, a simple ketone, is an important compound in both industrial and laboratory settings. Understanding how acetone is produced through oxidation is crucial for students and professionals alike.

Understanding Oxidation Reactions

Oxidation is a chemical process where a molecule loses electrons, typically resulting in an increase in the oxygen content or a decrease in hydrogen. In organic chemistry, oxidation reactions often involve the conversion of alcohols or hydrocarbons into more oxidized forms, such as aldehydes, ketones, or carboxylic acids.

Isopropyl Alcohol: A Key Precursor

The most common precursor that gives acetone on oxidation is isopropyl alcohol (also known as 2-propanol). Isopropyl alcohol is a secondary alcohol, which means it has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a carbon atom that is connected to two other carbon atoms. During oxidation, secondary alcohols are typically converted into ketones. When isopropyl alcohol is oxidized, it loses hydrogen atoms and forms acetone (CH₃COCH₃) as the final product. This reaction is often catalyzed by oxidizing agents like potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇) in acidic conditions.

The oxidation reaction can be represented as: [ \text{CH}3\text{CH(OH)CH}3 \xrightarrow{\text{Oxidation}} \text{CH}3\text{COCH}3 ] This equation shows that isopropyl alcohol undergoes oxidation to form acetone, making it a direct and reliable source for producing acetone through this chemical process.

Other Potential Compounds and Their Oxidation Outcomes

While isopropyl alcohol is the most straightforward answer to the question, it's essential to explore why other compounds might not yield acetone upon oxidation.

• Ethanol: This primary alcohol oxidizes to form acetaldehyde (an aldehyde), which can further oxidize to acetic acid. Since acetone is a ketone, ethanol does not produce acetone upon oxidation.

• Methanol: Oxidation of methanol leads to the formation of formaldehyde and then formic acid, not acetone.

• Butan-2-ol: This secondary alcohol, similar to isopropyl alcohol, oxidizes to form butanone (methyl ethyl ketone), which is a different ketone, not acetone.

Conclusion: Identifying Acetone Producers

In conclusion, when posed with the question "Which of the following gives acetone on oxidation?", the correct answer is isopropyl alcohol. Its oxidation pathway directly leads to the formation of acetone, making it a crucial compound in industrial processes where acetone is required. Understanding the oxidation behavior of various alcohols and hydrocarbons is key to predicting the products of such reactions, which is a fundamental aspect of organic chemistry.

By mastering these concepts, professionals and students can efficiently answer related questions and apply this knowledge in practical scenarios, from laboratory experiments to large-scale industrial synthesis.