Chapter 19: Carboxylic Acids
Oxidation of Aldehydes
Reaction type: Oxidation - reduction
Summary
Aldehydes,
RCHO
, can be oxidised to carboxylic acids,
RCO
2
H
,under aqueous conditions.
Typical reagents are based on aqueous Cr (VI):
chromic acid, H
2
CrO
4
, chromate salts,
e.g.
Na
2
CrO
4
,dichromate salts,
e.g.
K
2
Cr
2
O
7
The oxidation actually proceeds on the hydrate,
RCH(OH)
2
,formed by the
reaction of water with the aldehyde
.
R
can be alkyl or aryl.
Related Reactions
Oxidations of Primary Alcohols
Oxidations of Alcohols
©
Dr. Ian Hunt
, Department of Chemistry
