Oxidation with Cr2O7^2-/H+ reflux of an aldehyde yields which product?

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Multiple Choice

Oxidation with Cr2O7^2-/H+ reflux of an aldehyde yields which product?

Strong oxidizing conditions in acidic solution push aldehydes all the way to carboxylic acids. With Cr2O7^2- in acid under reflux, the aldehyde’s formyl carbon is oxidized, converting the aldehyde group (-CHO) into a carboxyl group (-COOH). This increases the oxidation state of that carbon from +1 to +3, and water is incorporated/released as part of forming the carboxyl group. So the product is a carboxylic acid. The other possibilities don’t fit because this oxidant in acid at reflux doesn’t stop at the aldehyde or produce alcohols or ethers under these conditions—those would require different reagents or reductions, not this strong oxidative environment.

Strong oxidizing conditions in acidic solution push aldehydes all the way to carboxylic acids. With Cr2O7^2- in acid under reflux, the aldehyde’s formyl carbon is oxidized, converting the aldehyde group (-CHO) into a carboxyl group (-COOH). This increases the oxidation state of that carbon from +1 to +3, and water is incorporated/released as part of forming the carboxyl group. So the product is a carboxylic acid.

The other possibilities don’t fit because this oxidant in acid at reflux doesn’t stop at the aldehyde or produce alcohols or ethers under these conditions—those would require different reagents or reductions, not this strong oxidative environment.

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