What happens to an orange dichromate solution during the oxidation of alcohols?

Prepare for the SQA Higher Chemistry Exam with multiple choice questions, flashcards, and detailed explanations for each question. Get ready to excel in your Chemistry exam!

During the oxidation of alcohols using an orange dichromate solution, the solution turns green. This color change occurs because the chromium in the dichromate ion (Cr2O7^2-) is reduced as it oxidizes the alcohol.

In the reaction, the orange solution of dichromate, which contains chromium in a +6 oxidation state, gets converted to chromium in a +3 oxidation state, resulting in the formation of green chromium ions (Cr^3+). The transition from the vibrant orange to green is a key visual indicator of the progress of the oxidation process.

The remaining options do not accurately represent the chemical changes taking place during this reaction. The solution does not retain its original orange color, nor does it become colorless or turn blue, making the option that indicates a color change to green the correct answer.

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