Table of contents

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds

Oxidizing and Reducing Agents

Organic Chemistry

13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds

Oxidizing and Reducing Agents

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2:35 minutes

Problem 54

Textbook Question

During an oxidation reaction, there must also be a reduction. What is reduced in the Pinnick oxidation?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the Pinnick oxidation: It is a chemical reaction used to oxidize aldehydes to carboxylic acids using sodium chlorite (NaClO2) as the oxidizing agent.

Identify the role of sodium chlorite (NaClO2): In the Pinnick oxidation, sodium chlorite acts as the oxidizing agent, meaning it will be reduced during the reaction.

Recognize the concept of redox reactions: In any redox reaction, oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously. The substance that is oxidized loses electrons, while the substance that is reduced gains electrons.

Determine what is reduced: In the Pinnick oxidation, sodium chlorite (NaClO2) is reduced to chloride ions (Cl-) as it oxidizes the aldehyde to a carboxylic acid.

Summarize the redox process: The aldehyde is oxidized to a carboxylic acid, and sodium chlorite is reduced to chloride ions, completing the redox cycle in the Pinnick oxidation.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Oxidation-reduction (redox) reactions involve the transfer of electrons between two species. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction refers to the gain of electrons. In any redox reaction, one species is oxidized and another is reduced, maintaining the balance of electron transfer.

Pinnick Oxidation

Pinnick oxidation is a chemical reaction used to convert aldehydes into carboxylic acids using sodium chlorite (NaClO2) as the oxidizing agent. This reaction is often performed in the presence of a buffer to maintain a neutral pH, which helps in the selective oxidation of aldehydes without affecting other functional groups.

Role of Sodium Chlorite

In the Pinnick oxidation, sodium chlorite (NaClO2) acts as the oxidizing agent. During the reaction, sodium chlorite is reduced to chloride ions (Cl-) while oxidizing the aldehyde to a carboxylic acid. This reduction of sodium chlorite is essential for the overall redox balance of the reaction.

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