What is the result of oxidizing primary alcohols with acidified potassium dichromate?

When primary alcohols are oxidized with acidified potassium dichromate, the process typically results in the formation of aldehydes, which can further oxidize to yield carboxylic acids. Primary alcohols contain a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a carbon that is bonded to two hydrogen atoms. During oxidation, the alcohol first converts to an aldehyde, which has the general structure RCHO.

The acidified dichromate solution, a strong oxidizing agent, facilitates the transition from the alcohol to the aldehyde. If the oxidation conditions are controlled or limited, only the aldehyde may form. However, if the oxidation reaction proceeds to completion, especially under prolonged reaction times or excessive oxidizing agent, the aldehyde can then be oxidized further to a carboxylic acid (RCOOH).

The ability of the oxidizing agent to convert the aldehyde to a carboxylic acid is key here, as it highlights the sequential nature of the oxidation reactions possible with primary alcohols. Thus, both aldehydes and carboxylic acids can be produced depending on the reaction conditions and the extent to which oxidation occurs. This leads us to conclude that the formation of both functional groups during the oxidation of