State the reagents and conditions for the formation of an aldehyde, starting from a primary-alcohol.

Answer: Heat with acidified potassium dichromate (IV), distilling off the aldehyde as it forms.
Explanation: To form an aldehyde from an alcohol the alcohol group must be oxidised. To do this we use potassium dichromate (IV) acidified by dilute sulfuric acid. We also need to heat the reaction mixture to overcome the activation energy required for the reaction. However, we do not want to heat under reflux else the once the aldehyde is formed it will be oxidised further to form a carboxyllic acid. Instead, we distill off the aldehyde product as it is formed.

TO

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does hydrogen bonding work?


What is an acid-base pair?


Explain the trend in first ionization energy down group 2. (3 marks)


Methylpropene reacts with hydrogen bromide to form 2-bromo-2-methylpropane, draw the mechanism and state the major products.