ABSTRACT
Oxidation reactions are extremely important in organic chemistry. A molecule, such as an alcohol in a lower oxidation state, is converted to an aldehyde or ketone, for example, which is in a higher oxidation state. Loss of hydrogen atoms or the replacement of a hydrogen atom bonded to carbon with a more electronegative atom, usually a heteroatom, constitutes an oxidation. The most common method for the preparation of a ketone or aldehyde is the oxidation of a primary or secondary alcohol. In general, oxidation of a secondary alcohol is expected to give a ketone, and oxidation of a primary alcohol gives either an aldehyde or a carboxylic acid, depending on the oxidizing agent. The conversion of an alkene to a diol is another example of an oxidation. It is also possible to prepare carboxylic acids by the oxidation of an aldehyde or even directly from an alcohol.
