Footprints on Copper

I rush through empty space,
as methyl propels my flight,
another carbon lends me grace,
and hydroxy guides my sight.

I seek help to change form,
for time is precious and I can’t bide,
the copper hills are where I transform
into hydrogen and acetaldehyde.

My bonds vibrate out of control
as I come upon a red jagged plate,
my search has reached its goal:
it's time to dehydrogenate.

I tumble straight into a pore,
which perhaps was not so wise,
for alumina dusts the copper floor:
"Oh no - will the reaction catalyze?”

But my bonds break all the same,
my quest completed - it is no stint,
for alumina saved the copper frame,
and I left nothing but a footprint.