Which statement correctly describes the oxidation of secondary alcohols by PCC and Jones?

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Multiple Choice

Which statement correctly describes the oxidation of secondary alcohols by PCC and Jones?

Explanation:
Both PCC and Jones convert secondary alcohols into ketones. A secondary alcohol has the hydroxyl-bearing carbon attached to two other carbon groups, and oxidizing that carbon forms a carbonyl carbon, giving a ketone. PCC is a milder oxidant and stops at the ketone for secondary alcohols (it can oxidize primary alcohols only to aldehydes under these conditions). Jones reagent is stronger in acidic solution, and it also oxidizes secondary alcohols all the way to ketones; it can oxidize primary alcohols further to carboxylic acids, but that overoxidation doesn’t apply to secondary alcohols. So the statement that both reagents oxidize secondary alcohols to ketones is the correct description.

Both PCC and Jones convert secondary alcohols into ketones. A secondary alcohol has the hydroxyl-bearing carbon attached to two other carbon groups, and oxidizing that carbon forms a carbonyl carbon, giving a ketone. PCC is a milder oxidant and stops at the ketone for secondary alcohols (it can oxidize primary alcohols only to aldehydes under these conditions). Jones reagent is stronger in acidic solution, and it also oxidizes secondary alcohols all the way to ketones; it can oxidize primary alcohols further to carboxylic acids, but that overoxidation doesn’t apply to secondary alcohols. So the statement that both reagents oxidize secondary alcohols to ketones is the correct description.