Experiments

Oxidation of ethanol

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Using a pipette to add ethanol to acidified sodium dichromate solution for the Oxidation of ethanol experiment

Source: © Shutterstock

In this class practical, ethanol is oxidised by acidified sodium dichromate to form ethanal and then ethanoic acid. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

Ethanol is oxidised by acidified sodium dichromate in a test tube reaction, firstly to form ethanal (acetaldehyde), and with further oxidation, ethanoic acid (acetic acid). 

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