Practice Problem 4

Classify the following as either oxidation-reduction or metathesis reactions.

Solution

(a) This is a metathesis reaction because there is no change in the oxidation number of the carbon atoms when an alcohol is converted to an ether.

(b) This is a metathesis reaction because there is no change in the oxidation number of any of the carbon atoms when a carboxylic acid reacts with an alcohol to form an ester.

(c) This is an oxidation-reduction reaction because the carbon atom is reduced from the +2 to -2 oxidation state when CO combines with H₂ to form methanol.

(d) This is an oxidation-reduction reaction because the carbon atom is reduced from the -2 to the -4 oxidation state when CH₃Br reacts with lithium metal to form CH₃Li.