ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Dess–Martin periodinane

Dess-Martin periodinane is a type of chemical that is really good at making certain things happen in other chemicals.

Imagine you have a toy car that is really dirty, and you want to clean it up. But regular soap and water might not do the trick. So you bring out a special tool, like a toothbrush, that can get into all the tiny nooks and crannies and really clean the car.

Dess-Martin periodinane is like that special tool, but for chemicals! It can help perform a process called oxidation, which is like adding oxygen to a chemical to make it change in a certain way.

So let's say you have a certain chemical that you want to make into a different chemical, but you don't know how. Using Dess-Martin periodinane can help you change it into the new chemical you want, kind of like how the toothbrush can help clean the toy car.

But just like how you need to be careful with a toothbrush and not use it too hard or too much, you also need to be careful with Dess-Martin periodinane. It can be dangerous if you don't use it properly, so it's important to follow safety rules and instructions when working with it.

So there you have it, Dess-Martin periodinane is a special chemical that can help change other chemicals in a specific way, kind of like a toothbrush for chemicals!