[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, production process of methyl acetoacetate

Properties of methyl acetoacetate

Methyl acetoacetate (acetoacetate, MAA) is an organic compound with the chemical formula C5H8O3. It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a fruity aroma. It has a density of 1.05g/cm³, a melting point of -80°C, a boiling point of 169°C and a flash point of 62°C. The solubility in water is low, but it can be miscible with most organic solvents. MAA is a kind of β-keto ester, which has the typical chemical properties of ketone and ester, and is prone to transesterification, addition reaction and condensation reaction.

Use of methyl acetoacetate

Methyl acetoacetate is widely used in chemical, pharmaceutical, pesticide and dyestuff industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as an intermediate for the synthesis of antibiotics, vitamins and analgesics; in the pesticide industry, it is an important precursor for a variety of pesticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators; in the dye industry, MAA is used to produce dyes and pigments. MAA is also widely used in the formulation of coatings, inks and adhesives as a solvent and crosslinking agent to improve product performance and durability.

Methyl acetoacetate upstream feedstock

The main raw materials for the production of methyl acetoacetate include ethyl acetoacetate and methanol. Ethyl acetoacetate can be produced by the esterification of acetic acid and ethanol, which is derived from the oxidation of ethylene. Methanol is produced from synthesis gas from natural gas or coal. Acid catalysts and alkali catalysts are also key substances in the production of MAA, and the yield and purity of the product can be improved by controlling the reaction conditions.

Methyl acetoacetate downstream products

As an important intermediate, methyl acetoacetate can be further processed to synthesize a variety of downstream products. In the field of medicine, it can be converted into antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporins, etc.; in the field of pesticides, MAA can be made into a variety of new high-efficiency and low-toxicity pesticides, such as imidacloprid, acetamiprid, etc.; in the dye and pigment industry, methyl acetoacetate is an important raw material for the production of anthraquinone dyes and azo dyes. MAA is used in the polymer industry for the synthesis of polyester, polyurethane and other polymer materials, giving the material excellent mechanical properties and chemical resistance.

Methyl acetoacetate production process

The industrial production of methyl acetoacetate mainly uses ester exchange method and direct esterification method. The ester exchange method is produced by the ester exchange reaction of ethyl acetoacetate and methanol under the action of acid or alkali catalyst, and the direct esterification method is produced by the direct esterification reaction of acetoacetate and methanol. The ester exchange method has the advantages of mild reaction conditions and few by-products, but it needs high-purity raw materials and catalysts, and the direct esterification method has low production cost, but the reaction conditions are harsh and the by-products are more. Choosing the right production process requires a comprehensive consideration of factors such as raw material supply, production costs and environmental impact.

Methyl acetoacetate storage method

Methyl acetoacetate should be stored away from contact with strong oxidants, strong acids and strong bases to prevent decomposition and polymerization. The storage environment should be dry, cool, well ventilated, away from fire and heat sources. MAA shall be sealed and stored in a special corrosion-resistant container to prevent volatilization and leakage. When handling methyl acetoacetate, operators should wear appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, goggles and protective clothing to prevent irritation to skin and eyes. The warehouse shall be equipped with emergency equipment and measures to deal with possible emergencies such as leakage and fire.

Methyl acetoacetate market prospects

With the rapid development of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, dyes and polymer materials, the demand for methyl acetoacetate has shown a steady growth trend. Especially in the development of new pesticides and pharmaceutical intermediates, MAA has an irreplaceable important position. In the future, with the increasingly stringent environmental protection regulations, the application of green production processes and renewable raw materials will become an important development direction of the methyl acetoacetate industry. The progress of production technology and the exertion of scale effect will further reduce the production cost of MAA and improve its market competitiveness.

Summary

Methyl acetoacetate is an organic compound with important industrial value, which is widely used in the fields of medicine, pesticide, dye and polymer materials. Its production process is diverse, the upstream raw materials are rich, and the downstream products are diverse. During storage and handling, attention should be paid to safety protection and environmental protection. In the future, with the continuous development of related industries and technological progress, the market prospect of methyl acetoacetate will be broader.