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Multiple Choice
Which of the following reactions is characteristic of primary alcohols in organic chemistry?
A
Hydration to form ethers
B
Oxidation to aldehydes
C
Dehydration to form alkenes
D
Substitution to form ketones
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the functional group present in primary alcohols, which is the hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a primary carbon.
Understand that primary alcohols can undergo oxidation reactions. In the presence of mild oxidizing agents, primary alcohols are typically oxidized to form aldehydes.
Recognize that the oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes involves the removal of hydrogen atoms from the alcohol, forming a carbonyl group (C=O) at the end of the carbon chain.
Differentiate this reaction from other possible reactions: hydration typically involves adding water to alkenes to form alcohols, dehydration involves removing water to form alkenes, and substitution reactions in alcohols often lead to the formation of alkyl halides, not ketones.
Conclude that the characteristic reaction of primary alcohols in this context is their oxidation to aldehydes, as this is a common transformation specific to primary alcohols.