[jackwhacky]

Hello. I saw my online teacher writing the equation for the oxidation of 2-butanol this way:

CH₃CH(OH)CH₂CH₃+1/2 O₂ CH₃COCH₂CH₃ + H₂O

My question is can I balance it this way correctly instead?

2CH₃CH(OH)CH₂CH₃+O₂ 2CH₃COCH₂CH₃ + 2H₂O

Thanks!

[Borek]

In a way both are correct. Sometimes it is easier to make a point using coefficient of 1 for the most important reactant in the equation.

As far as I am aware IUPAC doesn't define whether the stoichiometric coefficients should be integer numbers, although in my experience the convention of using set of the smallest integers is the preferred one.

[jackwhacky]

I see! It makes much more sense now. Thank you 

[Vidya]

In one case you are writing equation for one mole of butanol undergoing oxidation and in second case you are writing equation for two moles of butanol.