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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8:18 minutes

Problem 41a

Textbook Question

Which of the reactions studied in this chapter result in oxidation of the organic molecule? Justify your answer.
(a)

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the reactant and product structures in the given reaction. The reactant is a carboxylic acid with an alkene group, and the product is a carboxylic acid with a hydroperoxide group added to the alkene.

Understand the concept of oxidation in organic chemistry. Oxidation typically involves the addition of oxygen or the removal of hydrogen from a molecule.

Examine the change in the functional groups from reactant to product. The addition of the hydroperoxide group (OOH) to the alkene indicates the incorporation of oxygen into the molecule.

Consider the oxidation state of the carbon atoms involved. The carbon atom in the alkene that forms the hydroperoxide group has increased its oxidation state due to the addition of oxygen.

Conclude that the reaction results in the oxidation of the organic molecule, as the addition of the hydroperoxide group represents an increase in the oxidation state of the carbon atoms involved.

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Key Concepts

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

Oxidation in Organic Chemistry

Oxidation in organic chemistry involves the increase in the number of bonds to oxygen or other electronegative atoms, or the loss of hydrogen atoms. It often results in the formation of new functional groups, such as alcohols to ketones or aldehydes, or the addition of oxygen to form peroxides. In the given reaction, the addition of an oxygen atom to form a hydroperoxide group indicates oxidation.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. In the reaction shown, the transformation involves the formation of a hydroperoxide group (–OOH) from an alkene, which is a key indicator of oxidation. Recognizing changes in functional groups is crucial for identifying reaction types and mechanisms.

Peroxide Formation

Peroxide formation involves the addition of an oxygen-oxygen single bond to a molecule, often resulting from the reaction of an organic compound with molecular oxygen (O2). This process is a common type of oxidation reaction in organic chemistry. In the provided reaction, the formation of a hydroperoxide group from an alkene is a classic example of peroxide formation, indicating the molecule has undergone oxidation.

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