Why is the conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid an oxidation reaction? Name the oxidising agent used in this conversion. Write chemical equation for this oxidation reaction. How is this reaction different from the reaction in which ethanol burns in the presence of oxygen?

1. Why the conversion is an Oxidation Reaction

The conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid is an oxidation reaction because it involves the addition of oxygen and the removal of hydrogen from the ethanol molecule.

2. Oxidising Agent Used

The common oxidising agents used for this conversion are:

• Alkaline potassium permanganate ($\mathrm{alkaline\ KMnO_4}$) + Heat

OR

• Acidified potassium dichromate ($\mathrm{acidified\ K_2Cr_2O_7}$) + Heat

3. Chemical Equation

$$\mathrm{CH_3-CH_2-OH \xrightarrow[or\ Acidified\ K_2Cr_2O_7 + Heat]{Alkaline\ KMnO_4 + Heat} CH_3-COOH}$$

4. Difference from Combustion of Ethanol

• Controlled Oxidation: In this reaction, ethanol is selectively oxidized to ethanoic acid (a carboxylic acid) using chemical oxidising agents. The carbon-carbon backbone remains intact, and no carbon dioxide is formed.
• Combustion: When ethanol burns in the presence of oxygen, it undergoes complete, uncontrolled oxidation to break down entirely into carbon dioxide, water, heat, and light:

$$\mathrm{C_2H_5OH + 3O_2 \rightarrow 2CO_2 + 3H_2O + Heat\ and\ Light}$$