Alcohol Oxidation
Easychemistry
Oxidation of a primary alcohol with PCC (pyridinium chlorochromate) gives:
Select the correct option:
Solution
Incorrect! Answer:
Aldehyde
- Primary Alcohol Oxidation: Primary alcohols (R−CH2OH) can be oxidized in two steps: first to aldehydes (R−CHO) and then to carboxylic acids (R−COOH).
- Reagent Nature: Pyridinium Chlorochromate (PCC) is a controlled, mild oxidizing agent.
- Solvent: It is typically used in anhydrous solvents like dichloromethane (CH2Cl2).
- Mechanism: Since there is no water present, the aldehyde intermediate cannot form a hydrate (gem-diol), which is necessary for further oxidation to the acid.
- Result: The reaction stops cleanly at the aldehyde stage. In contrast, stronger reagents like 'Jones reagent' or acidified KMnO4 would push the oxidation all the way to the carboxylic acid.
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- oxygen organics
- Topic
- alcohol oxidation
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Aldehyde
- Primary Alcohol Oxidation: Primary alcohols (R−CH2OH) can be oxidized in two steps: first to aldehydes (R−CHO) and then to carboxylic acids (R−COOH).
- Reagent Nature: Pyridinium Chlorochromate (PCC) is a controlled, mild oxidizing agent.
- Solvent: It is typically used in anhydrous solvents like dichloromethane (CH2Cl2).
- Mechanism: Since there is no water present, the aldehyde intermediate cannot form a hydrate (gem-diol), which is necessary for further oxidation to the acid.
- Result: The reaction stops cleanly at the aldehyde stage. In contrast, stronger reagents like 'Jones reagent' or acidified KMnO4 would push the oxidation all the way to the carboxylic acid.
This easy difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter oxygen organics, covering the topic of alcohol oxidation. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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