Questions: Which of the following functional groups cannot be oxidized to a carboxylic acid? Alkyne 3-degree alcohol 1-degree alcohol Alkene
Transcript text: Which of the following functional groups cannot be oxidized to a carboxylic acid? Alkyne 3-degree alcohol 1-degree alcohol Alkene
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the Functional Groups
The question asks which functional group cannot be oxidized to a carboxylic acid. The functional groups provided are:
Alkyne
3-degree alcohol (tertiary alcohol)
1-degree alcohol (primary alcohol)
Alkene
Step 2: Analyze Oxidation Potential
Alkyne: Alkynes are hydrocarbons with a triple bond. They are not typically oxidized directly to carboxylic acids.
3-degree alcohol: Tertiary alcohols (3-degree alcohols) cannot be oxidized to carboxylic acids because they lack a hydrogen atom on the carbon bearing the hydroxyl group.
1-degree alcohol: Primary alcohols can be oxidized first to aldehydes and then to carboxylic acids.
Alkene: Alkenes can be oxidized to diols and further to carboxylic acids under strong oxidative conditions.
Step 3: Determine the Correct Answer
Based on the analysis, the functional group that cannot be oxidized to a carboxylic acid is the tertiary alcohol (3-degree alcohol).