These oxidation reactions are used to distinguish aldehydes from
ketones Carboxylic acids are prepared by the oxidation of primary alcohols, aldehydes
and alkenes by hydrolysis of nitriles, and by treatment of Grignard reagents with
carbon dioxide Aromatic carboxylic acids are also prepared by side-chain oxidation
of alkylbenzenes Carboxylic acids are considerably more acidic than alcohols and
most of simple phenols