Acetaldehyde - Production

Production

In 2003, global production was about 1 million tonnes. The main production method is the oxidation of ethylene via the Wacker process:

2 CH2=CH2 + O2 → 2 CH3CHO

Alternatively, hydration of acetylene, catalyzed by mercury salts gives ethenol, which tautomerizes to acetaldehyde. This industrial route was dominant prior to the Wacker process When smaller capacities are required it can also be prepared via dehydrogenation or partial oxidation combined with dehydrogenation. Some acetaldehyde forms upon hydrogenation of CO, but this method is not used commercially.

Read more about this topic:  Acetaldehyde

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