What is the product of oxidizing secondary 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!

The product of oxidizing secondary alcohols is indeed ketones. When a secondary alcohol undergoes oxidation, the hydroxyl (-OH) group is replaced with a carbonyl (C=O) group, resulting in the formation of a ketone.

Secondary alcohols have the general structure R-CHOH-R', where R and R' are organic groups (which can be alkyl groups). During the oxidation process, the hydrogen atom from the hydroxyl group is removed along with the hydrogen atom from the carbon atom bearing the hydroxyl group, leading to the formation of a carbonyl group. This process does not involve breaking any carbon-carbon bonds; hence, the product maintains the overall carbon skeleton of the original molecule but with the new ketone functionality.

Conversely, the other options presented do not accurately represent the products of secondary alcohol oxidation. Aldehydes are produced from the oxidation of primary alcohols, carboxylic acids result from over-oxidation of primary alcohols, and simple alcohols do not form as products of oxidation. Thus, the answer correctly identifies ketones as the end products in the oxidation of secondary alcohols.

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