Consider the catalytic dehydrogenation of alcohols over heated Copper at 573 K. If you pass separate — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question
Question
Consider the catalytic dehydrogenation of alcohols over heated Copper at 573 K. If you pass separate equimolar vapours of Ethanol, 2-Propanol, and 2-Methyl-2-propanol over the catalyst, how many of these three substrates will chemically release Hydrogen gas ($H_2$) as a byproduct?
Answer: 2
💡 Solution & Explanation
Ethanol (primary) dehydrogenates to acetaldehyde + $H_2$. 2-Propanol (secondary) dehydrogenates to acetone + $H_2$. 2-Methyl-2-propanol (tertiary) undergoes dehydration, not dehydrogenation, releasing $H_2O$ (water) and forming isobutylene. Therefore, only 2 substrates release $H_2$ gas.
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