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Oxidation of Alcohols

Oxidation of Alcohols

In this lesson, the oxidation of alcohols is discussed in depth. The various reagents used for oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols are detailed, and their mechanism of action is provided.
The process of oxidation in a chemical reaction is observed in any of the three forms:

Alcohols from Carbonyl Compounds: Reduction

Alcohols from Carbonyl Compounds: Reduction

Reduction is a simple strategy to convert a carbonyl group to a hydroxyl group. The three major pathways to reduce carbonyls to alcohols are catalytic hydrogenation, hydride reduction, and borane reduction.
Catalytic hydrogenation is similar to the reduction of an alkene or alkyne by adding H2 across the pi bond in the presence of transition metal catalysts like Raney Ni, Pd–C, Pt, or Ru. Aldehydes and ketones can be reduced by this method, often under mild to moderate heat (25–100°C) and...

Acid Halides to Alcohols: LiAlH4 Reduction

Acid Halides to Alcohols: LiAlH₄ Reduction

Acid halides are reduced to alcohols in the presence of a strong reducing agent like lithium aluminum hydride.
The mechanism proceeds in three steps. First, the nucleophilic hydride ion attacks the carbonyl carbon of the acid halide to form a tetrahedral intermediate. Next, the carbonyl group is re-formed, and the halide ion departs as a leaving group, generating an aldehyde. A second nucleophilic attack by the hydride yields an alkoxide ion, which, upon protonation, gives a primary alcohol as...

Esters to Alcohols: Hydride Reductions

Esters to Alcohols: Hydride Reductions

Esters are reduced to primary alcohols when treated with a strong reducing agent like lithium aluminum hydride. The reaction requires two equivalents of the reducing agent and proceeds via an aldehyde intermediate.
Lithium aluminum hydride is a source of hydride ions and functions as a nucleophile. The mechanism proceeds in three steps. Firstly, the nucleophilic hydride ion attacks the carbonyl carbon of the ester to form a tetrahedral intermediate. Subsequently, the carbonyl group re-forms,...

Oxidations of Aldehydes and Ketones to Carboxylic Acids

Oxidations of Aldehydes and Ketones to Carboxylic Acids

Oxidation of aldehydes and ketones results in the formation of carboxylic acids. Aldehydes, bearing hydrogen next to the carbonyl group, are easily oxidized compared to ketones. This is because an aldehydic proton can easily be abstracted during oxidation.
Aldehydes readily undergo oxidation in strong oxidizing agents such as potassium permanganate and chromic acid. The oxidation can also be carried out using mild oxidizing agents such as silver oxide. In fact, aldehydes can be easily oxidized...

Preparation and Reactions of Thiols

Preparation and Reactions of Thiols

Thiols are prepared using the hydrosulfide anion as a nucleophile in a nucleophilic substitution reaction with alkyl halides. For instance, bromobutane reacts with sodium hydrosulfide to give butanethiol.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Separation of Aldehydes and Reactive Ketones from Mixtures Using a Bisulfite Extraction Protocol

Separation of Aldehydes and Reactive Ketones from Mixtures Using a Bisulfite Extraction Protocol

Published on: April 2, 2018

Silver Oxide Reduction Chemistry in an Alcohol Environment.

Fayez A Alfayez^1,2, Simon Ducolombier¹, Walter R Caseri²

¹Advanced Fibers, Empa Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, St Gallen CH-9014, Switzerland.

|July 10, 2026

Summary

This study clarifies silver nanoparticle formation during polymer processing. Enhanced system mobility is key to improving nanoparticle dispersion and creating advanced polymer composites with antimicrobial properties.

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Simultaneous Multi-surface Anodizations and Stair-like Reverse Biases Detachment of Anodic Aluminum Oxides in Sulfuric and Oxalic Acid Electrolyte

Simultaneous Multi-surface Anodizations and Stair-like Reverse Biases Detachment of Anodic Aluminum Oxides in Sulfuric and Oxalic Acid Electrolyte

Published on: October 5, 2017

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Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Separation of Aldehydes and Reactive Ketones from Mixtures Using a Bisulfite Extraction Protocol

Separation of Aldehydes and Reactive Ketones from Mixtures Using a Bisulfite Extraction Protocol

Published on: April 2, 2018

Simultaneous Multi-surface Anodizations and Stair-like Reverse Biases Detachment of Anodic Aluminum Oxides in Sulfuric and Oxalic Acid Electrolyte

Simultaneous Multi-surface Anodizations and Stair-like Reverse Biases Detachment of Anodic Aluminum Oxides in Sulfuric and Oxalic Acid Electrolyte

Published on: October 5, 2017

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Chemistry
Nanotechnology

Background:

Polymer-assisted in situ thermal reduction is a key method for creating polymer nanoparticle composites.
Understanding the mechanisms of nanoparticle formation in polymer melts is crucial but poorly understood.
Silver oxide (Ag₂O) reduction within poly-(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) melts presents specific challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the fundamental mechanisms of silver oxide reduction during compounding with poly-(vinyl alcohol).
To investigate the influence of reducing agent structure and system mobility on nanoparticle formation.
To identify strategies for overcoming limitations in nanoparticle dispersion and agglomeration.

Main Methods:

Systematic studies using model liquid systems (1-decanol, 4-decanol, 2,4-pentanediol) to analyze Ag₂O reduction.
Utilized advanced analytical techniques: DSC, GC-TCD, GC-MS, FTIR, SEM-EDX, and KFT.
Quantitative analysis of reaction byproducts (H₂O, CO₂) to determine reaction pathways and dependencies.

Main Results:

The redox reaction is temperature-dependent and limited by system mobility.
Reducing agent structure (hydroxyl group position) influences reaction pathways (oxidative dehydrogenation vs. complete oxidation).
Silver nanoparticle morphology is governed by surface-solid transformation, with minor influence from H₂O generation.

Conclusions:

Enhancing system mobility (e.g., using low-melting PVA or soluble precursors) can overcome diffusion limitations.
Improved mobility leads to better nanoparticle dispersion and reduced agglomeration in polymer composites.
Successfully fabricated PVA/Ag nanocomposite films with dichroism and antimicrobial properties, demonstrating application potential.