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PCC oxidation: ethanol to acetaldehyde

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Step 1 of 2: Chromate ester formation

Pyridinium chlorochromate selectively oxidizes a primary alcohol to an aldehyde without overshooting to the carboxylic acid. Two steps: chromate ester formation, then an E2-like collapse.

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Two-electron is the default for ionic mechanisms. Switch to fishhook for radical / homolytic steps.

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