Products of controlled oxidation of alcohols

Controlled oxidation of ethanol, a primary alcohol

The oxidation products are acetaldehyde and ethanoic acid. The ethanol, acetaldehyde and ethanoic acid have the same oxidation number of all their corresponding identical atoms, except for $C$:

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Reminder:Oxidation numbers (n.o.) are determined by attributing to the more electronegative atoms all electrons of the bond, and the dummy load thus obtained is the oxidation number.

Partial controlled oxidation systems of primary alcohols

Primary alcohol $\Rightarrow$ aldehyde $RCH_2OH$ $-$ $2e^-$ $\rightarrow$ $RCHO+2H^+$ Aldehyde $\Rightarrow$ carboxylic acid $RCHO$ $-$ $2e^-$ $+$ $H_2O$ $\rightarrow$ $RCOOH+2H^+$

Controlled oxidation of isopropanol (propan-2-ol), a secondary alcool

The only oxidation product is acetone ( propanone ). Isopropanol and acetone have the same oxidation number of all their corresponding identical atoms, except for $C$

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Partial controlled oxidation system of secondary alcohols

Secondary alcohol $\Rightarrow$ ketone $R_1R_2CHOH$ $-$ $2e^-$ $\rightarrow$ $R_1R_2C=O$ $+$ $2H^+$

Controlled oxidation of tert-butanol (2-methylpropan-2-ol), a tertiary alcool

Under stringent conditions, the oxidation is carried out breaking the molecule, an controlled oxidation is impossible.