Aromatic Hydrocarbon

The Dow's process is a method used for the oxidation of secondary alcohols to ketones. It is named after its developer, Dr. Herbert Henry Dow, an American chemist.
In the Dow's process, the oxidation is carried out using an oxidizing agent called chromic acid. Chromic acid is a strong oxidizing agent that contains chromium in its +6 oxidation state. The reaction typically involves the use of a mixture of chromic acid (CrO₃) and an acid, such as sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), which serves as a catalyst.
The general equation for the Dow's process is as follows:
R₂CHOH (secondary alcohol) + [O] → R₂C=O (ketone) + H₂O
During the reaction, the chromic acid is reduced, and the secondary alcohol is oxidized to a ketone. The chromic acid acts as an electron acceptor, oxidizing the alcohol and generating water as a byproduct.