Can ketones be oxidised to form carboxylic acids?
Ketones can only be oxidised to acids if the oxidising agent is strong enough to break the carbon chain. Oxidising propanone with, say, hot concentrated acidified potassium manganate(VII) or concentrated nitric acid (dont try it, very dangerous) produces a mixture of ethanoic acid and methanoic acid. Ulex Risk assessment Before attempting any practical work based on the advice and suggestions on this website, you must do the following. Identify any hazards, assess the risks from these hazards, and then decide appropriate control measures to reduce the risks. You must have these approved by those in authority in your school or college laboratory. Do not rely on what is said on this website. For further guidance see our tutorial on Risk Assessment.
