Answer to Question #31469 in Organic Chemistry for Piya

Question

Can you thoroughly explain "controlled oxidation" and what it really is? Thank You so much!

Answer 1

As we understand what you are asking about is oxidizing the substance by a controlled amount, for example if you oxidize a primary alcohol in a "controlled" fashion you can first get an aldehyde, further oxidation gives you a carboxylic acid and ultimately complete oxidation would give you CO₂ and water. By picking the oxidizing agent and experimental conditions you can "control" the oxidation to give the desired products. Uncontrolled oxidation would be setting something on fire, or in solution using a very strong oxidizing agent that would give only final products.