Question

Dehydration of tertiary alcohols with Cu at 573 K gives:

• A. Alkyne
• B. Alkene
• C. Aldehyde
• D. Ketone

Hint:

Dehydration of primary alcohols at high temperatures produces aldehydes, while secondary alcohols form ketones. Only tertiary alcohols give alkenes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Upon heating tertiary alcohols with copper (Cu) at 573 K, dehydration occurs. This process yields alkenes through the E1 (elimination) mechanism, represented by the reaction: \[R_3C-OH \xrightarrow{\text{Cu, 573 K}} R_2C=CR_2 + H_2O\] This industrial method is employed for alkene synthesis from alcohols.