Primary and secondary alcohols can be oxidised to various products.
Primary alcohols can be heated in the presence of acidified potassium dichromate (VI) and distilled to form aldehydes. The dichromate (VI) ions act as an oxidising agent.
When heated under reflux, primary alcohols will oxidise to aldehydes, then further to carboxylic acids.
Secondary alcohols can be oxidised to ketones when heated in the presence of acidified potassium dichromate (VI). The dichromate ions (VI) are the oxidising agent.
Potassium dichromate (VI) is used as an oxidising agent in the oxidation of alcohols. As the alcohol is oxidised, potassium dichromate (VI) is reduced, and this is observed as a colour change from orange to green (only in primary and secondary alcohols).
