Which of the following reagents selectively oxidizes the active methylene ( -carbon) adjacent to a c — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Selenium dioxide ($SeO_2$) is a highly specific oxidizing agent that oxidizes an $\alpha$ -methylene ($-CH_2-$) or $\alpha$ -methyl ($-CH_3$) group adjacent to a carbonyl group into a second carbonyl group ($>C=O$), forming a dicarbonyl compound. $KMnO_4$ and $HNO_3$ cause oxidative cleavage of the carbon skeleton.