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
Answered by Tom O. Chemistry tutor

5481 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

A 1000 cm3 container of ammonia (NH3) has a mass of 20.7g, it is stored at room temperature (298 K). When empty the container has a mass of 20.0 g, calculate the pressure inside the container in kPa to an appropriate number of significant figures.


What is an acid and what is the difference between and strong and weak acid


What type of reaction do haloalkanes undergo with nucleophiles?


Which molecule has the highest boiling point: methane, ammonia, water or hydrogen fluoride? Explain why.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning