Draw the condensed structural formulas for the aldehyde and carboxylic acid produced when each of the following is oxidized:


c. 3-chloro-1-propanol

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the functional group in 3-chloro-1-propanol, which is an alcohol with the hydroxyl group (-OH) on the first carbon.
2. Recognize that oxidation of a primary alcohol like 3-chloro-1-propanol first leads to the formation of an aldehyde.
3. Write the condensed structural formula for the aldehyde: Replace the -OH group with a carbonyl group (C=O) on the first carbon, resulting in 3-chloropropanal.
4. Further oxidation of the aldehyde leads to the formation of a carboxylic acid.
5. Write the condensed structural formula for the carboxylic acid: Convert the aldehyde group (C=O) to a carboxyl group (-COOH), resulting in 3-chloropropanoic acid.

Key Concepts

Oxidation of Alcohols

Oxidation of alcohols involves the conversion of alcohol functional groups into carbonyl groups. In the case of primary alcohols, such as 3-chloro-1-propanol, oxidation typically leads to the formation of aldehydes. This process can be facilitated by oxidizing agents like potassium dichromate or PCC, which remove hydrogen atoms from the alcohol.

Condensed Structural Formulas

Condensed structural formulas provide a simplified representation of a molecule's structure, showing the arrangement of atoms without depicting all the bonds explicitly. For example, the condensed formula for an aldehyde derived from 3-chloro-1-propanol would highlight the carbonyl group (C=O) and the attached hydrogen atom, indicating its functional group characteristics.

Functional Groups: Aldehydes and Carboxylic Acids

Aldehydes and carboxylic acids are important functional groups in organic chemistry. Aldehydes contain a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to at least one hydrogen atom, while carboxylic acids have a carbonyl group and a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the same carbon. Understanding these functional groups is essential for predicting the products of oxidation reactions involving alcohols.