WAEC - Chemistry (2003 - No. 28)
What is the organic product of the reaction of C2H 5OH with excess acidified K 2Cr 2O7(aq)?
CH3COOH
C2H5OC2H5
HCOOCH 3
C2H5CHO
Explication
When C\(_2\)H\(_5\)OH (ethanol) reacts with excess acidified K\(_2\)Cr\(_2\)O\(_7\) (potassium dichromate), it produces ethanoic acid (CH\(_3\)COOH) as the main product; essentially, the alcohol is oxidized to a carboxylic acid by the strong oxidizing agent potassium dichromate.