Acetaldehyde is a colourless liquid with a pungent, fruity odour. It is used primarily as a chemical intermediate, principally for the production of acetic acid, pyridine and pyridinebases, peracetic acid, pentaerythritol, butylene glycol, and chloral. It is used in the production of esters, particularly ethyl acetate and isobutyl acetate. It is also used in the synthesis of crotonaldehyde, flavour and fragrance acetals, acetaldehyde 1,1-dimethylhydrazone, acetaldehyde cyanohydrin, acetaldehyde oxime, and various acetic esters, paraldehyde, metaldehyde, polymers, and various halogenated derivatives. Acetaldehyde is used in denatured alcohol. In the past it was a chemical intermediate for 2-ethyl-1-butanol, glyoxal, acrolein, and acetaldehyde-aniline condensate. Acetaldehyde has been used in the manufacture of aniline dyes and synthetic rubber, to silvermirrors, and to hardengelatine fibres.
Acetaldehyde has been used in the production of polyvinyl acetal resins, in fuel compositions, and to inhibit mould growth on leather. It is also used in the manufacture of disinfectants, drugs, perfumes, explosives, lacquers, varnishes, photographic chemicals, phenolic and urea resins, rubber accelerators, antioxidants, and room air deodorisers. It is also a pesticide intermediate.
Acetaldehyde is a compound for the intended use as a flavouring agent and adjuvant. It is an important component of food flavourings added to milk products, baked goods, fruit juices, candy, desserts, and soft drinks; the concentration of acetaldehyde in food is usually up to .047%. It is an especially useful synthetic flavouring ingredient to impart orange, apple, and butter flavours, and is used in the manufacture of vinegar and yeast and as a fruit and fish preservative.
Acetaldehyde is a volatile and flammable liquid. It is miscible in water, alcohol, ether, benzene, gasoline, solvent, naphtha, toluene, xylene, turpentine, acetone, and other common organic solvents. It is a highly reactive compound that undergoes numerous condensation, addition, and polymerisation reactions. It is dangerous when exposed to heat or flame; it can react vigorously with oxidising material, acid anhydrides, alcohols, ketones, phenols, halogens, isocyanates, and strong alkalis and amines. It is also incompatible with acids, bases, alcohol, ammonia, amines, phenols, ketones, and hydrogen cyanide. It will polymerise readily in the presence of trace metals. Acetaldehyde can form unstable or explosive peroxides with exposure to the air. It may polymerise under the influence of air and heat, acids, or bases with potential of fire or explosion. It is polymerised violently by concentrated sulphuric acid. Rubber products decompose on contact with acetaldehyde, but it is not corrosive to most metals. It is also known as acetic aldehyde, ethanal, NCI-C56326, and ethyl aldehyde. Research Acetaldehyde
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Acetaldehyde
