We can write an overall chemical reaction going from ethanol to acetic acid using only O2 as the oxidizing agent by adding the following reactions:
CH3CH2OH + O2 + 2 H+ ––�?gt; CH3CHO + 2 H2O
CH3CHO + O2 + 2 H+ ––�?gt; CH3COOH + H2O
to give
CH3CH2OH + 2 O2 + 4 H+ ––�?gt; CH3COOH + 3 H2O
Enzymes in the bacteria mentioned below would catalyze these reactions.
You shouldn't get a ketone from ethanol because the simplest ketone (acetone) has three carbons but your starting compound ethanol has only two carbons. Therefore any oxidation product of ethanol alone will also have only two carbons.
From http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0GCU/is_n6_v14/ai_20152545:
Apple cider vinegar is made by crushing apples and squeezing out the liquid. Sugar and yeast are added to the liquid to start the fermentation process, which turns the sugars into alcohol. In a second fermentation process, the alcohol is converted by acetic acid-forming bacteria into vinegar. Acetic acid gives vinegar its sour taste.
Steve
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