Jmap science - 20-4-2014 at 15:42
What oxidizer should I use to oxidize heptane to hexonol isomers? I have acquired some hexane from a solvent purification but I want to convert it to
hexanol. Any ideas for the process. I would like to avoid using a catalyst if possible but I could if necessary.
I thank you for your help.
thesmug - 20-4-2014 at 15:52
As far as I know any strong oxidizer should work (such as hydrogen peroxide or KMnO4). Am I wrong?
WGTR - 20-4-2014 at 16:15
Alkenes can be hydrated to their corresponding alcohols without too much trouble, but alkanes are much harder to do anything with. Sometimes it's
possible to unsaturate them by a combination of halogenation and reaction with a strong base, but this is usually not table-top chemistry.
I'm not an expert in organic chemistry, and your mileage may vary.
smaerd - 20-4-2014 at 16:15
Not to be a nomenclature punk, but I think you mean hept-1-ene rather then heptane. My first glance at this post had me immediately leaving the page
as I thought you were asking for a one step oxidation of heptane to 1-hexanol. Actually I am totally confused by what chemical you are attempting to
start from. Several mentions of heptane and hexane. And alkenes and alkanes... Also there's no 'one stepper' I can think of to selectively oxidize the
terminus of an unbranched alkyl chain to an alcohol if that's what you're asking.
macckone - 20-4-2014 at 16:49
As smaerd said, we need to know what the
starting material actually is.
Your post is not clear if it is heptene, heptane,
hexane or hexene. And if it is heptene or hexene
where the double bond is in the chain.
You aren't just going to be able to bubble air through
this and get an alcohol. Regardless of what it is.
alkenes are easier to convert than alkanes.
With alkanes you are probably going to have a number
of reaction and separation steps to get a pure product.