When a primary alcohol is oxidized to a carboxylic acid, an intermediate product is an aldehyde. Which physical property of the aldehyde can be exploited if it is desired to obtain the aldehyde as the reaction product?
A) boiling point
B) molecular weight
C) solubility
D) any of these

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The boiling point of the aldehyde can be exploited because it is typically lower than that of the corresponding alcohol or carboxylic acid. This allows for selective distillation of the aldehyde as the reaction product.

When a Primary Alcohol Is Oxidized to a Carboxylic Acid