Final answer:
PCC can be used to convert primary alcohols into aldehydes, and secondary alcohols into ketones. For example, ethanol, a primary alcohol, can be oxidized to form acetaldehyde, while isopropyl alcohol, a secondary alcohol, can be oxidized to form acetone.
Step-by-step explanation:
PCC, or Pyridinium chlorochromate, can be used as an oxidizing agent in place of chromic acid to convert primary alcohols into aldehydes and secondary alcohols into ketones. For example, the oxidation formula for converting ethanol (a primary alcohol) into acetaldehyde is depicted with an O in a bracket above the right pointing arrow. Importantly, aldehydes can be further oxidized to carboxylic acids, but PCC is a milder oxidant and typically stops at the aldehyde stage.
The reaction can be illustrated as follows:
CH₃CH₂OH (Ethanol) → CH₃CHO (Acetaldehyde) [O]
Note that the conversion of isopropyl alcohol (a secondary alcohol) by potassium dichromate results in acetone (the simplest ketone). However, PCC will also oxidize secondary alcohols like isopropyl alcohol to ketones, albeit with a different reaction mechanism.