The final product of the oxidation of ethyl alcohol is

Options

A. Acetone
B. Acetic acid
C. Ethane
D. Acetaldehyde

Answer

To determine the final product of the oxidation of ethyl alcohol (ethanol), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the structure of ethyl alcohol.
Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol, has the molecular formula \( \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} \) or \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} \).

### Step 2: Understand the oxidation process.
When ethyl alcohol is oxidized, it can undergo a series of reactions. The common oxidizing agent used for this reaction is potassium permanganate (\( \text{KMnO}_4 \)).

### Step 3: First oxidation step.
The first oxidation of ethyl alcohol leads to the formation of acetaldehyde (\( \text{CH}_3\text{CHO} \)). This is because the alcohol group (\(-OH\)) is oxidized to a carbonyl group (\(C=O\)).

### Step 4: Second oxidation step.
If the oxidation continues, acetaldehyde can be further oxidized to acetic acid (\( \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} \)). In this step, the carbonyl group is further oxidized to a carboxylic acid group (\(-COOH\)).

### Step 5: Conclusion.
The final product of the oxidation of ethyl alcohol, when fully oxidized, is acetic acid (\( \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} \)).

### Answer:
The final product of the oxidation of ethyl alcohol is **acetic acid** (option B).

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