Concept:Primary alcohols are completely oxidized to carboxylic acids under strong acidic oxidizing conditions (like acidic dichromate).
Formula:$$ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} \xrightarrow{[\text{O}]} \text{CH}_3\text{CHO} \xrightarrow{[\text{O}]} \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} $$
Solution:- Ethanol (\( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} \)) is a primary alcohol.
- In the presence of \( \text{K}_2\text{Cr}_2\text{O}_7 / \text{H}_2\text{SO}_4 \), it first oxidizes to acetaldehyde.
- Since dichromate is a strong oxidizing agent, it rapidly oxidizes the aldehyde further into acetic acid (\( \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} \)).
Why other options are incorrect:Option B is a ketone (from a secondary alcohol). Option C is formic acid (from methanol). Option D is an ester.
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