What is the main product when an alcohol is oxidized with potassium dichromate?

What is the main product when an alcohol is oxidized with potassium dichromate?

Step 1: Understand what oxidation means. Oxidation is a chemical reaction where a substance loses electrons or hydrogen.
Step 2: Know that alcohols are organic compounds that contain a hydroxyl group (-OH).
Step 3: Identify the types of alcohols: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
Step 4: Learn that when a primary alcohol is oxidized, it typically forms an aldehyde first, which can further oxidize to a carboxylic acid.
Step 5: Understand that when a secondary alcohol is oxidized, it forms a ketone.
Step 6: Realize that tertiary alcohols do not oxidize easily with potassium dichromate.
Step 7: Conclude that the main product of oxidation depends on the type of alcohol used.

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