Oxidation Reactions - MCAT Biology

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Question

Which of the following compounds can be oxidized to form a ketone?

Answer

An alcohol can be oxidized and form a ketone only if the alcohol is a secondary alcohol. Tertiary alcohols cannot be oxidized and primary alcohols are oxidized to form aldehydes and carboxylic acids.

3-pentanol is a secondary alcohol, while 2-methyl-2-butanol is a tertiary alcohol. Methanol and propyl alcohol are both primary alcohols.

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