Organic Chemistry #11: Oxidation, Reduction and Esterification of Alcohols (Slides and Tasks)

LESSON OBJECTIVE: Investigate and predict the products of oxidation, reduction and esterification reactions of alcohols.

In this lesson we continue our discussion on reactions of alcohols by investigating oxidation, reduction and esterification reactions and disuss how reactions can be used to identify the type of alcohol present. This is lesson eleven in our organic chemistry series of Unit 17: Hydroxy compounds (from the Cambridge International AS Chemistry Curriculum (9701) 2019-2021 curriculum).

Learning Outcomes:
(taken from the Cambridge International AS and A Level Chemistry (9701) 2019-2021 curriculum)
17.1 Alcohols
a) recall the chemistry of alcohols, exemplified by ethanol, in the following reactions:
(iv) oxidation to carbonyl compounds and carboxylic acids
(v) dehydration to alkenes
(vi) formation of esters by esterification with carboxylic acids

b) (ii) suggest characteristic distinguishing reactions, e.g. mild oxidation