An organic compound 'A' is a constituent of antifreeze and has the molecular formula C_(2)H_(6)O. Upon reaction with alkaline KMNO_(4), the compound 'A' is oxidised to another compound 'B' with formla C_(2)H_(6)O_(2). Identify the compounds 'A' and 'B'. Write the chemical equation for the reaction which leads to the formation of 'B'.

An organic compound 'A' is a constituent of antifreeze and has the mol

1.	An organic compound 'A' is a constituent of antifreeze and has the molecular formula C_(2)H_(6)O. Upon reaction with alkaline KMNO_(4), the compound 'A' is oxidised to another compound 'B' with formla C_(2)H_(6)O_(2). Identify the compounds 'A' and 'B'. Write the chemical equation for the reaction which leads to the formation of 'B'.
Answer» Solution :The compound 'B' should contain a `-COOH` group as it is an acid. Since it has only to carbon atoms, the other carbon ATOM must represent `CH_(3)` group. Thus, compound 'B' is ethanoic acid `(CH_(3)COOH)`. The compound 'A' used for the sterilisation of skin by DOCTORS is ethanol `C_(2)H_(5)OH (C_(2)H_(6)O)`. the chemical reaction involved in the oxidation by dilute alkaline `KMnO_(4)` solution also called Baeyer's reagent is: `underset("Ethanol (A)"(C_(2)H_(5)OH(l))+O_(2)(g)underset("reagent")overset("Baeyer's")tounderset("Ethanoic acid (B)")(CH_(3)COOH(l))+H_(2)O(l)`