9. A primary alcohol is heated under reflux with an aqueous solution of the oxidizing agent KMnO4.
Which of the following is a possible product of this reaction?
D
Explanation:
In a primary alcohol, the OH group is bonded to a CH2 group. The alcohol group initially reacts with KMnO4 to form an aldehyde (CHO) group, as in option B.
However, the aldehyde is further oxidzed to a carboxylic acid (COOH) group unless it is removed by distillation. Here, the solution is heated under reflux, so the carboxylic acid is the major product.