JAMB - Chemistry (2003 - No. 43)

Ethanol reacts with excess acidified K\(_2\)Cr\(_2\)O\(_7\) to produce
ethanedioic acid
ethanal
ethylethanoate
ethanoic acid

Explanation

When ethanol reacts with excess acidified potassium dichromate, it produces ethanoic. This reaction occurs in two steps: 

  1. Ethanol to ethanal: Ethanol is oxidized to ethanal.
  2. Ethanal to ethanoic acid: Ethanal is oxidized to ethanoic acid.Potassium dichromate is a strong oxidizing agent. During the reaction, the color changes from orange to green.

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