Provide the oxidizing agents that allow alcohols to be converted into carbonyl compounds.Give an example of the oxidation of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols.

Question

Provide the oxidizing agents that allow alcohols to be converted into carbonyl compounds.Give an example of the oxidation of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols.

Answer 1

Tertiary alcohols can't be oxidized to carbonyl compounds in general circumstances, since that would yield a carbon with 5 bonds.

As for primary and secondary alcohols, some common reagents for oxidation are pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC), Oxalyl chloride+dimethylsulfoxide+triethylamine (Swern), Dess-Martin Periodinane (DMP).

Hope that helps!