what does copper at 573 k do mainly ?
Alcohols are oxidised by passing their vapours over hot copper at 573K. Primary alcohol (1o) undergo dehydrogenation to give aldehyde, secondary alcohol (2o) undergo dehydrogenation to give ketone and tertiary alcohol (3o) undergo dehydration to give alkene.
For example ,
- Ethanol is oxidised to Ethanal.
Cu/573K
CH3CH2OH -------------> CH3CHO + H2
(1o alcohol)
- Propan-2-ol is oxidised to Propanone.
Cu/573K
CH3 - CH(OH)-CH3 -------------> CH3 - CO-CH3 + H2
(2o alcohol)
- 2-Methylpropan-2-ol is oxidised to 2-methylpropene.
Cu/573K
CH3 – C(CH3)2-OH -------------> CH3 – (CH3)C=CH2 + H2O
(3o alcohol)