Using appropriate catalysts, ethane can be oxidised to an alcohol, an aldehyde and an acid. Name the alcohol, aldehyde and acid formed when ethane is oxidised.

Alcohol ⟶ Ethyl alcohol [C₂H₅OH]

Aldehyde ⟶ Acetaldehyde [CH₃CHO]

Acid ⟶ Acetic acid [CH₃COOH]

Ethane to an alcohol :

$\underset{\text{ ethane}}{2\text{C}$2\text{H}6} + \text{O}2 \xrightarrow[120 \text{ atm.}]{\text{Cu tube 475 K}} \underset{\text{ethyl alcohol}}{2\text{C}2\text{H}_5\text{OH}}

Ethane to an aldehyde :

$\underset{\text{ ethane}}{\text{C}$2\text{H}6} + \text{O}2 \xrightarrow{\text{MoO}} \underset{\text{acetaldehyde} }{\text{CH}3\text{CHO}} + \text{H}_2\text{O}

Ethane to an acid :

$\underset{\text{ ethane}}{2\text{C}$2\text{H}6} + \text{O}2 \xrightarrow[120 \text{ atm.}]{\text{Cu tube 475 K}} \underset{\text{ethyl alcohol}}{2\text{C}2\text{H}_5\text{OH}}

$\underset{\text{ethyl alcohol}}{\text{C}$2\text{H}5\text{OH}} + \text{O}2 \xrightarrow{\text{Pt. 300}\degree\text{C}} \underset{\text{acetic acid}}{\text{CH}3\text{COOH} + \text{H}_2\text{O}}