Which of the following alkane can be easily oxidized to alcohol by `KMnO_(4)`?

Options

A. `CH_(4)`
B. `CH_(3)-CH_(3)`
C. `CH_(3)-underset(CH_(3))underset(|)(CH_(2))`
D. `CH_(3)-underset(CH_(3))underset(|)(CH)-CH_(3)`

Answer

To determine which alkane can be easily oxidized to an alcohol by KMnO4, we need to analyze the provided options and understand the reactivity of alkanes with KMnO4, a strong oxidizing agent.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Reactivity of KMnO4**:
- KMnO4 is a strong oxidizing agent that is primarily used to oxidize unsaturated compounds (alkenes and alkynes).
- Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons and generally do not react with KMnO4. However, there is an exception for tertiary hydrogens.

2. **Identify the Types of Carbons in Each Option**:
- **Option A: CH4 (Methane)**
- All carbon atoms are primary (only one hydrogen attached to the carbon). No tertiary hydrogen is present.
- **Option B: CH3-CH3 (Ethane)**
- Both carbon atoms are primary. No tertiary hydrogen is present.
- **Option C: CH3-CH2-CH3 (Propane)**
- The first two carbons are primary, and the middle carbon is secondary. No tertiary hydrogen is present.
- **Option D: CH3-CH-CH3 (Isobutane)**
- The leftmost and rightmost carbons are primary, and the middle carbon is tertiary (attached to three other carbon atoms). This carbon has a tertiary hydrogen.

3. **Determine the Oxidation Potential**:
- Since KMnO4 can oxidize tertiary hydrogens, we focus on Option D (Isobutane) which has a tertiary carbon.
- The tertiary hydrogen on the middle carbon can be oxidized to form an alcohol.

4. **Final Product Formation**:
- When the tertiary hydrogen from isobutane is oxidized by KMnO4, it forms tertiary butanol (CH3-C(OH)(CH3)-CH3).

5. **Conclusion**:
- The alkane that can be easily oxidized to alcohol by KMnO4 is **Option D (Isobutane)**.

### Final Answer:
**Option D: CH3-CH-CH3 (Isobutane)** can be easily oxidized to alcohol by KMnO4.