Oxidation of secondary alcohols to ketones

The oxidation of secondary alcohols to ketones is an important oxidation reaction in organic chemistry.

When a secondary alcohol is oxidised, it is converted to a ketone. The hydrogen from the hydroxyl group is lost along with the hydrogen bonded to the second carbon. The remaining oxygen then double bonds with the carbon. This leaves a ketone, as R₁-CO-R₂. Ketones cannot normally be oxidised any further because this would involve breaking a C-C bond, which requires too much energy .

The reaction can occur using a variety of oxidants.

Potassium dichromate(VI)

A secondary alcohol can be oxidised into a ketone using acidified potassium dichromate(VI) and heating under reflux.

The orange dichromate(VI) ion, Cr₂O₇^2-, is reduced to the green Cr³⁺(aq) ion.

Dess-Martin oxidation

The Dess-Martin Reagent is a mild oxidant for the conversion of alcohols to aldehydes or ketones.

The reaction is performed under standard conditions, at room temperature, with either dichloromethane or trichloromethane. The reaction takes between half an hour and two hours to complete. The products are then separated from the byproduct, an idodo compound.

Swern oxidation

Swern oxidation oxidises secondary alcohols into ketones using oxalyl chloride and dimethyl sulphoxide. It also produces an organic base, such as triethylamine.

The by-products are dimethyl sulphide (Me₂S), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and - when triethylamine is used as base — triethylammonium chloride (C₆H₁₅NHCl). Dimethyl sulphide and carbon monoxide are very toxic and volatile compounds, so the reaction and the work-up needs to be performed in a fume cupboard.

Oppenauer oxidation

See also

• Oxidation of primary alcohols to carboxylic acids
• Secondary alcohol

References