Oxidation of alcohols. Image 2 of 2. Completed oxidation reactions of three alcohols (labelled) by potassium manganate (VII) solution (also known as potassium permanganate, KMnO4, purple). The manganate is a strong oxidizing agent that is reduced when it reacts. It has gone colourless. Primary and secondary alcohols can be oxidized, forming carboxylic acids and ketones respectively. Tertiary alcohols are not oxidized and do not react. See image A500/399 for the start of these reactions. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/ANDREW LAMBERT PHOTOGRAPHY)
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