Which of the following compounds can be oxidized to a carboxylic acid?

• A. ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CH}2\mathrm{OH}$ (ethanol)
• B. ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$ (acetic acid)
• C. ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CO}\mathrm{CH}3$ (acetone)
• D. ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CH}3$ (ethane)

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the functional groups present in each compound: ethanol (CH\3CH\2OH) is a primary alcohol, acetic acid (CH\3COOH) is a carboxylic acid, acetone (CH\3COCH\3) is a ketone, and ethane (CH\3CH\3) is an alkane.
2. Recall that primary alcohols can be oxidized first to aldehydes and then further oxidized to carboxylic acids under strong oxidizing conditions.
3. Understand that carboxylic acids are already in their highest oxidation state for that carbon, so they cannot be oxidized further to another carboxylic acid.
4. Recognize that ketones generally resist oxidation under normal conditions and do not convert to carboxylic acids easily.
5. Note that alkanes lack functional groups that can be oxidized to carboxylic acids under typical laboratory conditions.