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

Previous problemNext problem

5:28 minutes

Problem 1d,e,f

Textbook Question

Classify each reaction as an oxidation, a reduction, or neither.
(d)
(e)
(f)

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Analyze the first reaction. The starting material is ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH), which is reduced to ethane (CH₃CH₃) using LiAlH₄/TiCl₄. Reduction involves the gain of hydrogen or the loss of oxygen. Here, the hydroxyl group (-OH) is removed, and the molecule gains hydrogen atoms, classifying this reaction as a reduction.

Step 2: Examine the second reaction. The starting material is cyclohexene, which reacts with bromine (Br₂) to form a dibromocyclohexane product with two bromine atoms added across the double bond. This is an addition reaction, but it does not involve a change in oxidation state (no gain or loss of hydrogen or oxygen). Therefore, this reaction is classified as neither oxidation nor reduction.

Step 3: Evaluate the third reaction. The starting material is cyclopentanone, which reacts with methanol (CH₃OH) under acidic conditions to form an acetal product. This reaction involves the formation of a new bond between the carbonyl carbon and the methanol molecules, but there is no change in oxidation state. Thus, this reaction is classified as neither oxidation nor reduction.

Step 4: Understand the concepts of oxidation and reduction in organic chemistry. Oxidation typically involves the loss of hydrogen or the gain of oxygen, while reduction involves the gain of hydrogen or the loss of oxygen. Reactions that do not involve these changes are classified as neither.

Step 5: Summarize the classifications: (d) Reduction, (e) Neither, (f) Neither.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

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

Oxidation and Reduction

Oxidation and reduction are fundamental concepts in organic chemistry that describe the transfer of electrons between species. Oxidation involves the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state, while reduction is the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state. Understanding these processes is crucial for classifying reactions correctly.

Reagents in Organic Reactions

Reagents such as lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4) and titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) are commonly used in organic reactions to facilitate transformations. LiAlH4 is a strong reducing agent that can convert alcohols to alkanes by removing the hydroxyl group and replacing it with hydrogen. Recognizing the role of these reagents helps in predicting the outcome of the reaction.

Functional Group Transformations

Functional group transformations involve changing one functional group into another during a chemical reaction. In the provided reaction, the hydroxyl group (-OH) of an alcohol is transformed into a hydrogen atom, resulting in the formation of an alkane. Understanding these transformations is essential for predicting the products of organic reactions.

Watch next

Master General Features of Redox with a bite sized video explanation from Johnny

Start learning