Raney copper catalyst; its use in the dehydration of alcohols

摘要

Raney copper catalyst (A) doped with at least one of iron and a noble metal. Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) preparation of (A) by: (i) activating a copper-aluminum alloy with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution; (ii) washing; (iii) suspending in water; (iv) adding an iron or noble metal salt, at solution pH 4-11; and (v) separating (A) then washing it; and (b) method for catalytic dehydrogenation of alcohols (I) to corresponding carbonyl compounds or carboxylic acids, using the above catalyst.