Question

Write chemical reaction when hot copper is treated with Vapours of 3° (tertiary) alcohol.

Answer 1

Hot copper with 3° (tertiary) alcohol gives alkene.

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{\underset{(3° alcohol)}{R3 - C - OH}->[Cu][573 K] R - C = CH2 + 3H2O}\\
\phantom{........}|\\
\phantom{........}\ce{\underset{(Alkene)}{R}}
\end{array}\]

e.g. \[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{CH3}\phantom{.....................................}\\
|\phantom{........................................}\\
\ce{CH3 - C - OH->[Cu][573 K (dehydration)] CH3 - C = CH2 + 3H2O}\\
\phantom{.}|\phantom{...............................}|\phantom{..........}\\
\ce{\underset{(2 - Methyl propanol)}{CH3}\phantom{.................}\underset{(2 - Methyl propene)}{CH3}}\phantom{........}
\end{array}\]