[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of acetaldehyde, what is the chemical name of acetaldehyde

Properties of Acetaldehyde

Acetaldehyde (chemical formula: CHYCHO) is an organic compound, which belongs to aldehydes. It is a colorless liquid at normal temperature and pressure, with a pungent fruit smell. Acetaldehyde has a molecular weight of 44.05g/mol, a boiling point of about 20.2°C and a density of 0.783g/cm³. It is soluble in water, ethanol and ether, and has strong volatility and reducibility. Acetaldehyde is a highly flammable chemical with a lower explosive limit of 4%, so special care is required in handling and storage. Acetaldehyde is highly toxic and irritating, and has a strong irritating effect on the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. Long-term exposure can cause serious health problems.

Acetaldehyde use

Acetaldehyde has a wide range of uses in industry and chemistry. It is one of the main raw materials for the production of acetic acid, which is the basis of many chemical products, such as cellulose acetate and vinyl acetate. Acetaldehyde is also an important intermediate for the synthesis of other organic compounds, such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) and fragrances. Acetaldehyde is also widely used in the manufacture of synthetic resins, dyes, rubber accelerators, hardeners and tanning agents. In agriculture, acetaldehyde is used as a fungicide and preservative. In the food industry, acetaldehyde is used as an ingredient in flavors to increase the aroma of food.

Acetaldehyde upstream feedstock

The production methods of acetaldehyde are varied, and the common methods are ethanol dehydrogenation and ethylene oxidation. Ethanol dehydrogenation method is by heating ethanol, under the action of the catalyst, the two hydrogen atoms are removed to generate acetaldehyde and hydrogen. The feedstock for this process is primarily ethanol, which can be produced by fermentation or ethylene hydration. Ethylene oxidation method is through the reaction of ethylene and oxygen at high temperature and high pressure to produce acetaldehyde, the raw materials of this method are mainly ethylene and oxygen. Ethylene is typically obtained from petroleum cracking or natural gas processing. Thus, the upstream feedstock for acetaldehyde mainly comprises ethanol, ethylene and oxygen.

Acetaldehyde downstream products

As an important organic chemical raw material, acetaldehyde can be further processed to generate a variety of products. Acetic acid is one of the most important downstream products of acetaldehyde, which is used in the production of vinyl acetate, cellulose acetate and acetate. Acetaldehyde can also be used to synthesize 1,3-butanediol, which is an important solvent and organic synthesis intermediate. Acetaldehyde is also used in the production of pyridine and its derivatives, which have important applications in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical fields. Other downstream products include resins, rubber auxiliaries, dyes and fragrances. Through the wide application of these downstream products, acetaldehyde occupies an important position in the chemical industry chain.

Acetaldehyde storage method

Due to the high volatility and flammability of acetaldehyde, its storage requires special attention to safety. Acetaldehyde should be stored in a closed, dark, well-ventilated container, away from fire and heat sources. The temperature of the storage environment should be kept low to reduce the risk of volatilization and decomposition. The use of stainless steel or glass containers for storage can effectively prevent acetaldehyde from reacting with the container. The storage site should be equipped with a good ventilation system and necessary fire fighting equipment to deal with possible leakage and fire risks. Personnel handling acetaldehyde should wear protective gloves, goggles and protective clothing to avoid exposure to and inhalation of acetaldehyde vapors.

Acetaldehyde Safety and Environmental Issues

The toxicity and volatility of acetaldehyde make it require strict safety measures during use and storage. Exposure to acetaldehyde vapors may cause severe irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract, and even cause asthma and pulmonary edema. Long-term exposure to acetaldehyde may also cause damage to the liver and nervous system, so strict occupational health protection measures must be taken in industrial operations. On the environmental side, acetaldehyde emissions have a negative impact on air quality, and excessive acetaldehyde emissions may lead to local environmental pollution. In the process of industrial production, advanced waste gas treatment technology should be adopted to reduce the emission of acetaldehyde, and effective environmental monitoring and management should be carried out.

Acetaldehyde Market Analysis

The acetaldehyde market is affected by a variety of factors, including upstream raw material prices, downstream demand, production process technology and environmental regulations. In recent years, with the increasing application of acetaldehyde in food, medicine and chemical industry, the market demand has been growing steadily. Especially in the Asian market, due to the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization, the demand for acetaldehyde and its downstream products is rising. The increasingly stringent environmental regulations have also promoted the improvement of acetaldehyde production technology to reduce pollutant emissions and improve product quality. In terms of market competition, the main production enterprises are concentrated in Europe, America and Asia, and technology and cost control are the key factors for enterprise competition.

future development trend

In the future, the development of the acetaldehyde market will be driven by several factors. With the utilization of renewable resources and the development of green chemistry, bio-based acetaldehyde production technology may become an important trend. Technological innovation will further improve the efficiency and environmental performance of acetaldehyde production and reduce production costs. With the expansion of downstream applications, especially in the field of medicine and high-performance materials, the market prospect of acetaldehyde is broad. In terms of policy, the global requirements for environmental protection and safe production will become more and more stringent, which will prompt enterprises to continuously improve their production processes and management levels to meet the dual needs of the market and supervision.

As an important organic chemical raw material, acetaldehyde has a wide range of applications and market potential. Through scientific management and technological innovation, it can realize its safe and efficient application in industry, and provide strong support for the development of related industries.