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Chemistry as help

Right, so i have no idea what the products would be if ethane-1, 2-diol when acidifed potassium dichromate is heated under reflux with it??? I think it forms a ketone but i don't know. Could you also help me with Butane-1, 2-diol as well, if you can. Thanks

Reply 1

B_9710

Potassium dichromate is an oxidising agent so it will oxidise the alcohol (diol) to a ketone (dione). You would have to distil the products as it is made to make the ketone though as the dichromate will oxidise the ketone further to a dicarboxylic acid. So basically unless you distill the products as it is formed you will get ethanedicarboxylic acid formed (assuming there is excess dichromate).
Go to chemguide for oxidation of alcohols if you're unsure about it.