Question

Write the chemical reaction when hot copper is treated with Vapours of 2° (secondary) alcohol.

Answer 1

Hot copper with 2° (secondary) alcohol gives ketone.

R₂ - CH - OH

Or

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{R - CH - R' ->[Cu][573 K]R - C - R'}\\
\phantom{}|\phantom{...................}||\phantom{.}\\
\phantom{}\ce{\underset{(2° alcohol)}{OH}\phantom{............}\underset{(Ketone)}{O}}\phantom{..}
\end{array}\]

e.g. \[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{CH3}\phantom{....................}\\
|\phantom{.......................}\\
\ce{\underset{(Isopropyl alcohol)}{CH3 - CH - OH}->[Cu][573 K] CH3 - C - CH3}\\
\phantom{.......................}||\\
\phantom{.......................}\ce{\underset{(Acetone)}{O}}
\end{array}\]