Organic Chemistry : Using Potassium Permanganate

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Organic Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Using Potassium Permanganate

What is the product when 1-propanol is treated with potassium permanganate?

Possible Answers:

No reaction occurs

None of these

Propanoic acid

1-propanone

Propanal

Correct answer:

Propanoic acid

Explanation:

Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidizing agent. It can convert secondary alcohols to ketones. It can also convert primary alcohols to carboxylic acids. 1-propanol has a hydroxy group on carbon 1, so it is primary; thus it will be converted to propanoic acid.

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