Comparative dehydrogenation of cyclohexanol to cyclohexanone with commercial copper catalysts: Catalytic activity and impurities formed

▶ Commercial copper-based catalysts have been tested. ▶ Impurities from dehydration and dehydrogenation have been identified and quantified by GC/MS. ▶ Higher activity is obtained with catalyst containing Cu-Zn which is in agreement with the smaller copper crystallite size. ▶ Impurities from dehydration reaction are due to alumina or chromium in the catalyst.