Question

If you add chromate, an oxidizing agent, to each of the following, would a green `Cr^(+3)` solution be formed?

3-pentanol
2-methyl-2-butanol
1-propanol

Answer 1

`"3-pentanol"` and `"1-propanol"` can be oxidized, and thus they may reduce the `Cr(VI+)` salt.

Explanation:

The `2^@` alcohol, `H_3C-CH_2CH(OH)CH_2CH_3`, would be oxidized to the ketone; which one? The `1^@` alcohol, `H_3C-CH_2CH_2OH`, would be oxidized to the aldehyde, and then to the carboxylic acid.

But the `3^@` alcohol, `H_3C-CH_2C(CH_3)(OH)CH_3`, cannot be further oxidized without breaking the carbon skeleton, and should remain inert to an oxidizing agent.

Where the oxidation occurs, what would be the macroscopic colour change observed given the oxidizing agent?