After breathing in a test tube that contains acidified K2 2 Cr2 2 O7 7 , a man noticed the change in the colour of K2 2 Cr2 2 O7 7 from orange to green. Thi...

After breathing in a test tube that contains acidified K2 ${}_2$Cr2 ${}_2$O7 ${}_7$, a man noticed the change in the colour of K2 ${}_2$Cr2 ${}_2$O7 ${}_7$ from orange to green. This suggests the presence of

Answer Details

When the acidified potassium dichromate (\(K_2Cr_2O_7\)) solution changes from orange to green, it indicates a chemical reaction is occurring where the chromium in the dichromate ion is being reduced. In this context, acidified \(K_2Cr_2O_7\) is commonly used as an oxidizing agent.

The change in color from orange (dichromate ion) to green (chromium ion) suggests that the dichromate ion is being reduced, and something in the person's breath is being oxidized.

The substances that can be oxidized in the breath are organic compounds, typically those containing functional groups with oxidizable hydrogen atoms or structures.

• Alkanol: The presence of alkanols (such as alcohols) can result in this color change because alkanols can be oxidized to aldehydes or carboxylic acids by the dichromate ion. In an alcohol, the oxidation is facilitated by the presence of an -OH group.

Therefore, when the color of acidified potassium dichromate changes from orange to green, it suggests the presence of an alkanol.