[ch3mical115]

For a compound containing multiple ethyl groups; or an ethyl group and a second group, perhaps an acetyl group, which contains CH3 as a subgroup; is it possible to perform a reaction to yield a change of the ethyl group to a carboxyl group without affecting the acetyl group? I have heard discussion of using potassium manganate (KMnO4) to enact such a chemical change, but would the CH3 on the end of the acetyl group be affected as well?

[ch3mical115]

my mistake I had the terms ethyl and methyl confused this post concerns methyl groups ie CH3

[chenbeier]

With Permanganate it is possible to oxidise Methylgroups.


https://chem.libretexts.org/Textbook_Maps/Organic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Organic_Chemistry)/Reactions/Oxidation_and_Reduction_Reactions/Oxidation_of_Organic_Molecules_by_KMnO4