Question

Write the names of the reagents used in the following reactions:
i) Conversion of benzyl alcohol into benzoic acid
ii) Formation of butan-2-ol from butan-2-one

Hint:

Primary alcohol \(\rightarrow\) carboxylic acid needs strong oxidants (\(\mathrm{K_2Cr_2O_7/H^+}\) or \(\mathrm{KMnO_4}\)).
Ketone \(\rightarrow\) secondary alcohol is efficiently done with \(\mathrm{NaBH_4}\) (mild) or \(\mathrm{LiAlH_4}\) (strong).

Answer 1

i) Benzyl alcohol \(\rightarrow\) Benzoic acid (oxidation):
Use a strong oxidizing agent such as acidified potassium dichromate \((\mathrm{K_2Cr_2O_7/H_2SO_4})\) or alkaline/acidified potassium permanganate \((\mathrm{KMnO_4})\).
ii) Butan-2-one \(\rightarrow\) Butan-2-ol (reduction):
Use a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride \((\mathrm{NaBH_4})\) or lithium aluminium hydride \((\mathrm{LiAlH_4})\) (followed by hydrolysis), or catalytic hydrogenation \((\mathrm{H_2/Ni})\).