Question

determine if the organic reactant is oxidized or reduced in the reaction shown. select the single best answer.
ch₃ch - chch₃ + hio₄ → 2ch₃ch + hio₃ + h₂o
the organic reactant is reduced.
the organic reactant is oxidized.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall oxidation - reduction rules

Oxidation is loss of hydrogen or gain of oxygen; reduction is gain of hydrogen or loss of oxygen.

Step2: Analyze the organic reactant and product

The reactant is a di - alcohol ($\ce{CH3CH(OH)CH(OH)CH3}$) and the product is an aldehyde ($\ce{CH3CHO}$). The di - alcohol loses hydrogen atoms during the reaction with $\ce{HIO4}$.

Answer:

The organic reactant is oxidized.