Final answer:
A primary alcohol treated with PCC generally yields an aldehyde. PCC is a selective oxidizing agent that prevents over-oxidation of carboxylic acids, and the reaction is exemplified by the conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a primary alcohol is treated with pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC), it typically yields an aldehyde. PCC is a mild oxidizing agent and selectively oxidizes primary alcohols to aldehydes without further oxidation to carboxylic acids. An example of this reaction is the oxidation of ethanol (a primary alcohol) to form acetaldehyde.
Ethanol has the molecular formula CH3CH2OH, and upon oxidation with PCC, the alcohol (-OH) group is converted to an aldehyde (=O) group, resulting in the formation of acetaldehyde (CH3CHO). This reaction is represented by the formula of ethanol reacting to form acetaldehyde with an O in a bracket above the right-pointing arrow.
In cases where secondary alcohol is oxidized, the product is typically a ketone rather than an aldehyde. However, PCC allows for selective oxidation that prevents over-oxidation which can lead to the formation of carboxylic acids if stronger oxidizing agents are used.