What is the major product(s) of each of the following reactions?
c.

The oxidation of alcohols involves the conversion of the hydroxyl (-OH) group into a carbonyl group (C=O) or a carboxylic acid, depending on the type of alcohol and the oxidizing agent used. Primary alcohols typically oxidize to aldehydes and can further oxidize to carboxylic acids, while secondary alcohols oxidize to ketones. Tertiary alcohols do not undergo oxidation under these conditions.

Chromic acid (H2CrO4) is a strong oxidizing agent commonly used in organic chemistry to oxidize alcohols. It is particularly effective for converting primary and secondary alcohols into their corresponding carbonyl compounds. The reaction typically involves the transfer of oxygen and the reduction of chromium from a +6 to a +3 oxidation state, resulting in a color change that indicates the progress of the reaction.

Understanding the reaction mechanism is crucial for predicting the products of organic reactions. In the case of alcohol oxidation, the mechanism involves the formation of a chromate ester intermediate, followed by the elimination of water to form the carbonyl compound. This stepwise process highlights the importance of electron movement and the role of the oxidizing agent in facilitating the transformation of functional groups.