Question

Hi,
We did an experiment in lab and our professor asked us why we used acetic acid as our oxidizing agent

NaOCl + CH3COOH --> HOCl + CH3COO- Na+

for the above reaction?

I'm thinking it has to do with the fact that it is a relatively weak acid and can be reversed if needed?

Am I like totally off?

Thanks for any help!
Best,
Mandy

Answer 1

I don't see any oxidizing or reducing going on. What you have written is a double displacement reaction (or double replacement reaction).

Answer 2

You do have an oxidizing agent in the reaction (NaOCl) BUT it isn't oxidizing anything.

Answer 3

I am not aware of acetic acid being used as an oxidising agent. The peracid is much more common.

So

NaOCl + CH3COOH --> NaCl + CH3COOOH

and the acetic acid is the reducing agent.

Formic acid is used as a reducing agent in Eschweiler-Clarke Methylation.