The oxidation of ethanol using an alkaline potassium permanganate solution yields:
Correct: B
Alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO4) is a strong oxidizing agent. It oxidizes alcohols to carboxylic acids. Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) upon oxidation first forms ethanal (CH3CHO) and then further oxidizes to ethanoic acid (CH3COOH). Since alkaline KMnO4 is a strong oxidizing agent, the reaction proceeds to the carboxylic acid stage.