Alcohols Phenols and EtherseasyMCQ SINGLE

See imageAlcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question

Question

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Chemistry diagram for: See image
Answer: D

💡 Solution & Explanation

Concept: Oxidation of alcohols using Na2Cr2O7 (sodium dichromate). The reactant is 2-methyl-2-propanol, commonly known as tert-butyl alcohol, (CH3)3C-OH. This is a tertiary alcohol. Step 1: Identify the class of alcohol. The carbon bearing the -OH group is attached to three other carbon groups (three CH3 groups), making it a tertiary alcohol. Step 2: Recall oxidation rules for alcohols. Primary alcohols can be oxidized to aldehydes and then to carboxylic acids. Secondary alcohols can be oxidized to ketones. Tertiary alcohols cannot be oxidized under normal oxidizing conditions (including Na2Cr2O7, KMnO4, K2Cr2O7, CrO3, etc.) because there is no hydrogen atom on the carbon bearing the -OH group (no alpha-H on the carbinol carbon). Oxidation of an alcohol by chromate/dichromate requires an alpha-hydrogen on the carbon bearing the hydroxyl group. Step 3: Apply to this case. Since (CH3)3COH is a tertiary alcohol and has no hydrogen on the carbinol carbon, Na2Cr2O7 cannot oxidize it. No oxidation product is formed. Step 4: Evaluate other options. (a) would require dehydration, not oxidation. (b) would require reduction, not oxidation. (c) di-tert-butyl ether formation would require acid-catalyzed dehydration conditions, not Na2Cr2O7. None of these transformations occur with Na2Cr2O7. Conclusion: Tertiary alcohols do not react with Na2Cr2O7 under these conditions. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

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