Chemistry Alcohols & Phenols MDCAT 2019
PMDC Verified Question 71 of 95
Ketones can be made by oxidation of
A
Primary Alcohols
B
Secondary Alcohols
C
Tertiary Alcohols
D
Aldehydes
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option B: Secondary Alcohols
Concept:

The oxidation state of the carbon determines the product. Removing two hydrogens from a secondary alcohol yields a ketone.

Formula:

$$ \text{R}_2\text{CH-OH} + [O] \longrightarrow \text{R}_2\text{C=O} + \text{H}_2\text{O} $$

Solution:

  • A secondary alcohol has one alpha-hydrogen.


  • Oxidation removes this hydrogen along with the hydroxyl hydrogen, creating a carbon-oxygen double bond flanked by two alkyl groups. This defines a ketone.


Why other options are incorrect:

Primary alcohols oxidize to aldehydes (and subsequently to carboxylic acids). Tertiary alcohols resist mild oxidation. Aldehydes oxidize into carboxylic acids.

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