Oxidation of Alcohols-The O

Ratio

Oxidation of Alcohols-The O

Ratio

The O

Ratio:

• When we talk about the oxidation of organic compounds, we are referring to changes in the ratio of oxygen (O) atoms to hydrogen (H) atoms within the molecule.
• This ratio can change in two ways: increasing the O
  ratio or decreasing it, depending on whether we are oxidising or reducing the compound.
• Let's explore these concepts in more detail.

Increasing the O

Ratio (Oxidation):

• When we oxidise an organic compound, we increase the O
  ratio. This can be achieved by either adding oxygen (O) atoms to the molecule or removing hydrogen (H) atoms from it.
• One common example of oxidation is combustion, where an organic compound is burned completely. For instance, when we burn alcohol, such as ethanol (C₂H₅OH), it reacts with oxygen (O₂) to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O):
• Equation: C₂H₅OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O
• This process increases the O
  ratio because we are adding oxygen atoms and forming more oxygen-containing compounds (CO₂ and H₂O).

Decreasing the O

Ratio (Reduction):

• Conversely, when we reduce an organic compound, we decrease the O
  ratio. This can be achieved by either removing oxygen atoms or adding hydrogen atoms to the molecule.
• Partial oxidation of organic compounds can lead to the production of different organic compounds with lower O
  ratios.

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Oxidation of Alcohols-The O

Ratio

Conclusion:

• Understanding the O
  ratio is essential in organic chemistry, as it helps us describe how the composition of organic molecules changes during oxidation and reduction reactions.
• Oxidation increases the O
  ratio by adding oxygen or removing hydrogen, while reduction decreases the O
  ratio by removing oxygen or adding hydrogen.
• Complete oxidation, such as combustion, results in the formation of carbon dioxide and water, with a significant increase in the O
  ratio. Partial oxidation can lead to various organic products with varying O
  ratios.