Which of the following types of alkanols undergo oxidation to produce alkanoic acids? 1. Primary alkanols 11. Secondary alkanols 111. Tertiary alkanols

Which of the following types of alkanols undergo oxidation to produce alkanoic acids? 1. Primary alkanols 11. Secondary alkanols 111. Tertiary alkanols

Answer Details

Only primary alkanols undergo oxidation to produce alkanoic acids. When primary alkanols undergo oxidation, the terminal carbon atom in the alcohol is oxidized to form a carboxylic acid functional group (-COOH) in the corresponding alkanoic acid. Secondary and tertiary alkanols, on the other hand, do not have a terminal carbon atom that can be oxidized to form a carboxylic acid functional group. Therefore, they cannot be oxidized to produce alkanoic acids. In summary, the answer is option 'l only'.