Oxidation of Alcohols

In General primary (1^o) alcohols get oxidozed to aldehydes and to carboxylic acids if using an appropriately powerful oxidizing reagent.

Secondary (2^o) alcohols can be oxidized to ketones.

Teritary (3^o) alcohols typically do not undergo oxidation.

Oxidizing Reagents

Pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC)

• Mild oxidizing reagent for converting 1^o alcohols to aldehydes.

Sodium dichromate or potassium dichromate (Na₂Cr₂O₇)

• Powerful oxding reagent.  Oxidizes 1 alcohols to carboxylic acid and secondary alcohols to ketones