Propanol (1-propanol, n-propanol) is a primary alcohol which can be oxidized to propanoic acid by using strong oxidizing agents. Also propanol can be oxidized to propanal by mild oxidation agents such as PCC.
Propanol is oxidized to propanoic acid by strong oxidizing agents. This is an example to primary alcohol oxidation to carboxylic acid. As strong oxidizing agents, following reagents are used to oxidize propanol to propanoic acid.
When propanol reacts with acidic potassium permanganate, purple colour of the solution decreases and become colourless or light pink in the end of the reaction.
CH3CH2CH2OH + H+ + KMnO4 → CH3CH2COOH + Mn2+
When propanol is oxidized by acidic potassium dichromate, orange colour of the K2Cr2O7 aqueous solution become green in the end of the reaction.
CH3CH2CH2OH + H+ + K2Cr2O7 → CH3CH2COOH + Cr3+
When propanol is oxidized by acidic potassium chromate, yellow colour of the solution become green in the end of the reaction.
CH3CH2CH2OH + H+ + K2CrO4 → CH3CH2COOH + Cr3+
Propanol is oxidized to propanal by strong oxidizing agents. This is an example to primary alcohol oxidation to an aldehyde compound. As mild oxidizing agents, following reagents are used.
When propanol is oxidized by PCC, propanal (an aldehyde compound) is given as the product.
CH3CH2CH2OH + PCC → CH3CH2CHO
In propanol, the carbonol carbon atom's oxidation number is -1.
With PCC, propanol gives propanal. In propanal, carbonyl carbon's oxidation number is +1.
With strong oxidizing agents, propanol is oxidized to propanoic acid. In propanoic acid, carbon in the carboxylic group is at +3 oxidation state.
Concentrated sulfuric acid is a good dehydrator which dehydrate propanol to propene. Due to loss of oxygen atom, that carbon atom which has been joint to oxygen atom is reduced. Other carbon atom is oxidized due to loss of one joint hydrogen atom. Therefore, one carbon atoms of propanol is oxidized and other carbon atom is reduced.
2-propanol (a secondary alcohol) can be oxidized by strong oxidizing agents and mild oxidizing agents. As the product, propanone is given as the product.
Secondary alcohols are oxidized to ketones by strong oxidizing agents and mild oxidizing agents.
Questions
Concentrated sulfuric acid is a de-hydrator and when an alcohol is heated with concentrated sulfiric acid, an alkene is given as the product. When, we observe the atoms around carbon atom, you will understand that carbon atom has reduced when alkene is given. Therefore, propanol is not oxidized when propanaol is heated with concentrated sulfuric acid.
If you use a strong oxidizng agent for oxidation of propanol and propanal, same product (propanoic acid) is given. As strong oxidizing agents, acidic potassium permanganate or acidic potassium dichromate or acidic potassium chromate are possible to use.
In your question, you had to mention what is oxidizing agent you are going to use for CH3CH2CH2OH oxidation.
If you use strong oxidizing agent, as the product CH3CH2COOH (propanoic acid) is given.
If you PCC, CH3CH2CHO (propanal) is given as the product.
KMnO4 is reduced to Mn2+ ion in acidic medium while propanol is oxidized to propanoic acid. You can see the colour change as purple colour of KMnO4 is changed to colourless (or light pink) Mn2+.
According to the type of alcohol, given products are different. Propanol is a primary alcohol and 2-propanol is a secondary alcohol. When 2-propanol is oxidized by acidic KMnO4, propanone (a ketone) is given.
2-propanol is a secondary alcoholic which cannot be oxidized to a carboxylic acid. But, propanol (primary alcohol) can be oxidized to a carboxylic acid.
Different alcohol types answer differently to oxidation. 2-propanol is an secondary alcohol and can be oxidized to a ketone. But, primary alcohols such as propanol can be oxidized upto carboxylic acids. Propanol can be oxidized to propanoic acid.
Accordng to the oxidizing agent, CH3CH2CH2OH will be oxidized to CH3CH2COOH (propanoic acid) or CH3CH2CHO (propanal).
Two compounds (2-propanol and propanol) are separately heated with concentrated sulfuric acid. Then, given products are mixed with acidic potassium dichromate.
Concentrated sulfuric acid is a dehydrator and which can dehydrate propanol and 2-propanol to propene. When propene is mixed with acidic potassium permanagate, carbon chain is broken trough the double and carbon dioxide and ethanoic acid are given as products.
Propanal or propanoic acid can be given as products.
In above section, you may see, products given by oxidation of propanol are propanal and propanoic acid. Both of them are liquids at room temperature.
Carbon atom which is connected to -OH group shows -1 oxidation state