What happens when ethanol is oxidized with chromic anhydride in glacial ethanoic acid?

When ethanol is oxidized with chromic anhydride (CrO3) in glacial ethanoic acid (acetic acid), it undergoes a chemical reaction that results in the formation of acetaldehyde (ethanal) and chromium(III) acetate. This reaction is often referred to as the Jones oxidation or the chromic acid oxidation of alcohols.

The chemical equation for the oxidation of ethanol with chromic anhydride in glacial ethanoic acid is as follows:

C2H5OH (ethanol) + CrO3 (chromic anhydride) + 3CH3COOH (acetic acid) → CH3CHO (acetaldehyde) + Cr(CH3COO)3 (chromium(III) acetate) + H2O (water)

In this reaction, the ethanol molecule is oxidized to form acetaldehyde, and chromium(III) acetate and water are produced as byproducts. This reaction is often used in organic chemistry to convert primary alcohols into aldehydes. It's important to note that the reagents involved, especially chromium(VI) compounds like chromic anhydride, are toxic and can pose safety hazards, so proper precautions should be taken when conducting this reaction.