Discuss the oxidation of alcohols.

Explanation

Oxidation of `1^@` and `2^@` alcohols can easily be carried out by common oxidising agents.like `KMnO_(4)//H^(+)`
Oxidation of `1^@` alcohols first give aldehyde and then carboxylic acid. For example: `underset("Ethylalcohol")(CH_3CH_2OH)overset([O])underset(-H_2O)rarrunderset("Ethanal")(CH_3CHO)overset([O])rarrunderset("Acetic acid")(CH_3COOH)`
Oxidation of `2^@` alcohols give Ketones which on further oxidation gives lower member acid. For example.

Oxidation of `3^@` alcohols is not possible with ordinary oxidising agents. Under drastic conditions oxidation of `3^@` alcohols yield Ketones and carboxylic acid with lesser number of carbon atom.