Final answer:
PCC oxidizes primary alcohols to aldehydes and secondary alcohols to ketones without further oxidation to carboxylic acids, providing a milder and more controlled reaction compared to stronger agents.
Step-by-step explanation:
PCC, or Pyridinium Chlorochromate, is an oxidizing agent used primarily in organic chemistry to oxidize primary alcohols to aldehydes and secondary alcohols to ketones. However, PCC does not further oxidize aldehydes to carboxylic acids. Unlike some stronger oxidizing agents, such as potassium permanganate (KMnO4) or chromium trioxide (CrO3), PCC provides a milder oxidation process, which gives better control over the reaction and avoids over-oxidation. Because of its controlled oxidation, it is often used when only a partial oxidation is desired, as in the synthesis of specific aldehydes or ketones from alcohols.