Ethanol

Ethanol is a simple hydrocarbon of the molecular formula C₂H₅OH. Ethanol is a form of primary alcohol. This can, then, be oxidised to carboxylic acid by refluxing it with an acid (H⁺) and potassium dichromate. Ethanol can also be oxidised to ethanal through partial oxidation. This is achieved by adding excess alcohol and by distilling off the aldehyde as it forms^[1]. Ethanol is used commonly as a solvent and is used in, both, the perfume and paint industry. It is also used to dissolve a wide range of water-insoluble medications^[2].

3CH₃CH₂OH + Cr₂O₇^2- + 8H⁺ → 3CH₃CHO + 2Cr³⁺ + 7H₂O

References

1. ↑ http://chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alcohols/oxidation.html
2. ↑ https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/702