Question

What happens when 5% alkaline potassium permanganate solution is added drop by drop to warm propyl alcohol (propanol) taken in a test tube? Explain with the help of a chemical equation.

Answer 1

During this reaction the alcohols are converted into carboxylic acids as carbon compounds can be easily oxidised. Therefore, when propanol is heated with alkaline potassium permanganate solution, it gets oxidised to propanoic acid.
The colour of the potassium permanganate does not disappear as it is used to oxidise alcohol to acids.
`CH_(3)-CH_(2)-CH_(2)OH overset("Alkaline" KMNO_(4))rarrunderset("propanoic acid")(C_(2)H_(5)COOH)`