Q1. [2] medium exam-ready
Name one oxidising agent that can convert ethanol to ethanoic acid. Explain, in terms of the change in the compound, why this conversion is regarded as an oxidation reaction.
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-26 01:07 · grounding rag
Model Answer
Oxidising agent: Alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) or acidified potassium dichromate.
Why it is oxidation: In this conversion, oxygen is added to ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) to form ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH). Since the reaction involves addition of oxygen to the starting material, it is regarded as an oxidation reaction.
Source: Chapter 4, Section 4.3.2 Oxidation
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Explanation
- 1 mark for naming a correct oxidising agent — either alkaline KMnO₄ or acidified K₂Cr₂O₇ is accepted.
- 1 mark for the explanation — examiners want the key idea that oxygen is added to ethanol, which is the definition of oxidation used in this chapter. Avoid vague statements; mention both reactant (ethanol) and product (ethanoic acid) to make it clear.
- Do not write lengthy definitions of oxidation; one crisp sentence is enough for 1 mark.