Reagents that can be used to convert alcohols to carboxylic acids are:
(A) $CrO_3 - H_2SO_4$
(B) $K_2Cr_2O_7 +

Question

Reagents that can be used to convert alcohols to carboxylic acids are:
(A) $CrO_3 - H_2SO_4$
(B) $K_2Cr_2O_7 + H_2SO_4$
(C) $KMnO_4 + KOH/H_3O^+$
(D) $Cu, 573 K$
(E) $CrO_3 + (CH_3CO)_2O$

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Accepted Answer

To convert primary alcohols directly to carboxylic acids, **strong oxidising agents** are required.
1.  **$CrO_3 - H_2SO_4$ (Jones Reagent):** This is a strong oxidising agent that converts primary alcohols to carboxylic acids.
2.  **$K_2Cr_2O_7 + H_2SO_4$ (Acidified Potassium Dichromate):** A strong oxidising agent commonly used to oxidise alcohols to carboxylic acids.
3.  **$KMnO_4 + KOH/H_3O^+$ (Alkaline KMnO4 followed by acid hydrolysis):** A very strong oxidising agent that converts primary alcohols to carboxylic acids.
4.  **$Cu, 573 K$:** This reagent is used for **dehydrogenation**. It converts primary alcohols to aldehydes and secondary alcohols to ketones, but does not produce carboxylic acids.
5.  **$CrO_3 + (CH_3CO)_2O$:** This condition is typically used to stop the oxidation of primary alcohols at the **aldehyde** stage (by forming gem-diacetates), preventing further oxidation to carboxylic acids.

Therefore, only reagents (A), (B), and (C) are suitable for the conversion to carboxylic acids.

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