KMno4 and K2Cr2O7

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do both of these do the same thing.....like if i have benzyl-CH2CH2CH2 and have kmno4 or k3cr2o7 im gonna get benzylCOOH
Firstly, you should know that KMnO4 acts differently under 2 conditions (cold diluted, and heated in base).
When cold/dil KMnO4 turns a double bond into a diol, when heated in base it will Fully oxidize the double bond similar to ozonolysis except that it oxidizes to carboxylic acids.
so CH3CHCHCh3 would become 2CH3COOH.

On a side note, I think it is K2Cr2O7 and may require some acid also and I know this oxidizes any alkyl groups on a benzene fully at the benzylic position.


And finally to answer your question: I think it would do the same thing.
They are both strong oxidizing agents.
Someone should open a oxidizing reducing thread because there is so much to know and each book says different things.
I know I wrote a lot but thought it would help.
 
They are both very strong oxidizing agents, and will take a primary alcohol all the way to carboxylic acid. Exceptions are going to be when KMnO4 is with cold/dilute conditions, and with secondary alcohols, as they can only go to ketones. 👍
 
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