How Do You Spell JONES OXIDATION?

1. Jones oxidation is a powerful chemical method used for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to corresponding aldehydes and ketones, respectively. It involves the use of a reagent known as the Jones reagent, which is a solution of chromic acid (H2CrO4) in sulfuric acid (H2SO4).

   The Jones oxidation reaction proceeds through a series of steps. Firstly, the alcohol is deprotonated by the strong acid, generating the corresponding alkoxide ion. This alkoxide ion then reacts with the chromic acid, leading to the formation of a chromate ester intermediate. In the case of primary alcohols, this intermediate can be further oxidized to an aldehyde, while secondary alcohols are oxidized to ketones.

   One of the advantages of Jones oxidation is its high selectivity towards primary and secondary alcohols, with little to no oxidation occurring for other functional groups. Additionally, it is a relatively simple and efficient method that can be conducted under mild conditions.

   However, it is important to note that Jones oxidation has some limitations. It is not suitable for the oxidation of tertiary alcohols or compounds containing certain functional groups, such as sensitive functional groups like double bonds or certain heteroatoms. In such cases, alternate oxidation methods may be required.

   Overall, Jones oxidation is a widely used chemical transformation employed in organic synthesis to convert alcohols into aldehydes and ketones using the Jones reagent.

The term "Jones oxidation" is named after Sir Ewart Jones, a British chemist who first developed this particular method of oxidation in the early 20th century. The process involves the use of chromic acid (CrO3) in an acidic solution to oxidize various organic compounds. As a tribute to Sir Ewart Jones' contribution to the field of chemistry, this oxidation method came to be known as "Jones oxidation".