Ethanol can be oxidised by heating with potassium dichromate(VI) in dilute sulfuric acid
2 marks · HardDescribe what happens when ethanol is heated with potassium dichromate(VI) in dilute sulfuric acid. In your answer, name the organic product and state the type of chemical change occurring.
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Ethanol is oxidised to ethanoic acid when heated with potassium dichromate(VI) in dilute sulfuric acid; this is an oxidation reaction.
Also accept: Ethanol is converted to ethanoic acid (acetic acid) by oxidation.; The ethanol is oxidised to ethanoic acid when heated with potassium dichromate(VI) in dilute sulfuric acid.; Ethanol is changed into ethanoic acid; this is an oxidation.
Common mistakes: Naming the wrong organic product; Describing reduction instead of oxidation
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Marking points
M1 · 1 mark · States that ethanol is oxidised to ethanoic acid (accept acetic acid).
A1 · 1 mark · Identifies the change as oxidation (or an oxidation reaction) or uses correct terminology.
Worked solution
When ethanol is heated with potassium dichromate(VI) in dilute sulfuric acid, the ethanol is oxidised to form ethanoic acid.
This chemical change is an oxidation reaction.