Thread: homework question

Hi, can 2-butanol be made from butanoic acid? Why or why not? Thanks


chris_ganda

A few hints. Think about the structures, which carbon in butanoic acid is the acid group on? Which carbon atom in 2-butanol is the hydroxyl group on? Are they the same?

My answer is no because 2-butanol is a seconday alcohol therefore it would only oxidize to ketone. Am i in the right path?

In the OP you are talking about reduction of an acid to an alcohol, now you have changed to oxidation of an alcohol to a ketone, which way around is the question? I think you are on the right lines though, a secondary alcohol is oxidised to a ketone and cannot be further oxidised to form an acid. Likewise an acid is reduced to an aldehyde, further reduction gives the primary alcohol (1-butanol this case) not a secondary alcohol.

Ok. I understand now. Thanks.

No problem, glad to help.