2024 Re-NEET HydrocarbonsOxidation of alkanes having tertiary hydrogen Medium Question 9 of 75 in Hydrocarbons

The alkane that can be oxidized to the corresponding alcohol by is, when:

The alkane that can be oxidized to the corresponding alcohol by

is, when:
A $R_1=H;\ R_2=H;\ R_3=H$
B $R_1=CH_3;\ R_2=CH_3;\ R_3=CH_3$
C $R_1=CH_3;\ R_2=H;\ R_3=H$
D $R_1=CH_3;\ R_2=CH_3;\ R_3=H$

The answer is B.

Solution

Alkanes generally resist oxidation, but an alkane with a tertiary C–H bond can be oxidised to the corresponding tertiary alcohol by $KMnO_4$. This requires all three R groups to be alkyl groups, i.e. $R_1=R_2=R_3=CH_3$ (tertiary carbon).

Concept Oxidation of alkanes having tertiary hydrogen

Hydrocarbons in past papers

75 questions from this chapter have appeared across 26 exam years.