PCC is Pyridinium ChloroChromate (Pyridinium chlorochromate). It oxidizes primary alcohols to aldehydes and secondary alcohols to ketones.
One has to be careful with the amount of water
present in the reaction. If water is present, it can
add to the aldehyde to create the hydrate, which could be further oxidized by a second equivalent of PCC if it is present. This is not a concern with ketones because there is no H directly bonded to C
Tony: I oxidized ethanol (100% drinking alcohol, ethyl alcohol) to ethanal (acetaldehyde, the stuff that gives you hangovers) while keeping things
dry to prevent over oxidation to ethanoic
acid (acetic
acid, pure vinegar, final metabolite of ethanol). Then I chloromethylated thiophene to 2-(chloromethyl)thiophene. Then I condensed acetaldehyde with ethylamine to form acetaldehyde ethylimine. Then I formed a grignard reagent of 2-(methylmagnesium chloro)thiophene and reacted them in diethyl
ether to form ethiopropamine (EPA). This stimulant could be used for ADHD and
ADD. It makes you confident, happy, helps you remember
stuff, and keeps you focused. It's weaker than Ritalin, but it's stronger than coffee.
Warning /!\: Research chemicals have not been evaluated for
long term effects and is not for human consumption.
CH3CH2OH --PCC--> CH3CHO