Primary and secondary alcohols can be oxidised by heating with a mixture of potassium dichromate(VI) and dilute sulfuric(VI) acid.

• A primary alcohol can be oxidised to two different products, depending on the conditions used.
• A secondary alcohol forms one product when oxidised.
• Tertiary alcohols cannot be oxidised.

a. What is the formula of potassium dichromate(VI)?

b. Using a primary alcohol of your choice as an example:

i. Give the displayed formulae of the two products it could be oxidised to

ii. State the conditions needed to give each product

iii. State which homologous series each product belongs to

iv. Write a balanced chemical equation for each reaction (the convention [O] may be used for the oxidising agent).

c. Using a secondary alcohol of your choice as an example:

i. SIve the displayed formula of the product it could be oxidised to

ii. State which homologous series the product belongs to

iii. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction (the convention [O] may be used for the oxidising agent).

d. Why are tertiary alcohols resistant to oxidation?