Question

What is the product when 2-butanol is treated with PCC in $C{H}_{2}C{l}_2$?

• A. 2-butanol
• B. 2-butanone
• C. 1-butanone
• D. 1-butanol

Answer 1

The correct option is B 2-butanone

PCC(Pyridinium chlorochromate) is an oxidizing agent. It converts $1^o$ alcohols to aldehydes and $2^o$ alcohols to ketones, but is not strong enough to convert primary alcohols to carboxylic acids. 2-butanol has a hydroxy group on its carbon 2. The addition of PCC will convert this hydroxy group into a carbonyl, producing 2-butanone.
$C{H}_{3}CH\left(OH\right)C{H}_{2}C{H}_3\stackrel{\text{PCC in}C{H}_{2}C{l}_2}{\to }C{H}_{3}COC{H}_{2}C{H}_3$