Acetaldehyde

What is Acetaldehyde (CH3CHO)?

C2H4O is an organic chemical compound with the chemical name Acetaldehyde.

Acetaldehyde is also called MeCHO. It is miscible with napthalene, gasoline, xylene, ether, turpentine, alcohol and benzene. It has no colour and is a flammable liquid. It has a suffocating smell. It is non-corrosive to many metals but when It has a narcotic action and can cause mucous irritation.

Acetaldehyde is widely used in the manufacturing of perfumes, drugs, acetic acid, flavouring agent, dyes, etc. When acetaldehyde is applied externally for prolonged periods it is toxic. Acetaldehyde was first observed in the year 1774 by the Swedish pharmacist/chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele.

Acetaldehyde Structure (C2H4O Structure)

Acetaldehyde Formula

The formula for Acetaldehyde CH3CHO or C2H4O.

Properties of Acetaldehyde – C2H4O

C2H4O	Acetaldehyde
Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass	44.05 g/mol
Density	0.784 g/cm3
Boiling Point	20.2 °C
Melting Point	-123.5 °C

Preparation of Acetaldehyde – CH3CHO

1. Oxidation of Ethyl alcohol

Ethyl alcohol (CH3CH2OH) undergoes oxidation in the presence of acidified K2Cr2O7 or aqueous/alkaline KMnO4 produces acetaldehyde.

$\begin{array}{l} � �_{3} � �_{2} � � + [�] \overset{� � � � � � � � �}{\to} � �_{3} � � � + �_{2} � \end{array}$

2. Catalytic Dehydrogenation of ethyl alcohol.

Ethyl alcohol undergoes catalytic dehydrogenation in presence of a copper catalyst at 573 K and produces acetaldehyde.

$\begin{array}{l} � �_{3} � �_{2} � � \overset{� � / 573 �}{\to} � �_{3} � � � + �_{2} \end{array}$

3. Rosenmund’s Reduction.

Acetaldehyde can be prepared by the reduction of acetyl chloride with H2 in the presence of palladium deposited over barium sulphate along with a small amount of salt of sulphur or quinoline. This mixture is known as Lindlar’s catalyst. This reaction is called Rosenmund’s Reduction.

$\begin{array}{l} � �_{3} � � � � \to_{� / � � � � � � � � �}^{� � / � � � �_{4}} � �_{3} � � � + � � � \end{array}$

4. By Wacker Process

Ethene can be converted to acetaldehyde by reacting with an aqueous solution containing Palladium chloride and cupric chloride.

$\begin{array}{l} � �_{2} = � �_{2} + � � � �_{2} + �_{2} � \overset{� � � �_{2}}{\to} � �_{3} � � � + � � + 2 � � � \end{array}$

In this reaction, CuCl2 Converted Pd back into PdCl2.

2CuCl2 + Pd → PdCl2 + 2CuCl

Cuprous chloride is reoxidised to CuCl2 by atmospheric oxygen in the presence of HCl.

4CuCl + 4HCl +O2 → 4CuCl2 + 2H2O

5. Preparation from Acetylene:

Acetylene gets hydrated in the presence of a mixture of diluted H2SO4 and mercuric acid to vinyl alcohol which tautomerises to a more stable compound of acetaldehyde.

CH≡CH + H2O → CH2=CHOH → CH3CHO

Chemical Properties of Acetaldehyde – CH3CHO

1. Acetaldehyde reacts with Hydrazine

The nitrogen atom of phenylhydrazine acts as a nucleophile which attacks the electrophilic carbon of acetaldehyde and removes water to give acetaldehyde phenylhydrazone.

Acetaldehyde reacts with Hydrazine

2. Acetaldehyde reacts with HCN

Hydrogen cyanide is added across the carbon-oxygen double bond in aldehydes and ketones to produce compounds known as hydroxynitriles. For example, with ethanal (an aldehyde) you get 2-hydroxypropanenitrile.

Acetaldehyde reacts with HCN

3. Acetaldehyde reacts with NaOH

Acetaldehyde (A) reacts when NaOH undergoes aldol condensation forming beta-hydroxyacetaldehyde on heating giving alpha-beta-unsaturated aldehyde.

Acetaldehyde reacts with NaOH

Acetaldehyde (C2H4O) Uses

It was used as a precursor to acetic acid.
It is used as a precursor to pyridine derivatives, crotonaldehyde, and pentaerythritol.
Used in the manufacturing of resin.
It is used to produce polyvinyl acetate.
It is used in the manufacturing of disinfectants, perfumes, and drugs
It is used in the production of chemicals such as acetic acid.

Acetaldehyde Toxicity

Acetaldehyde is a significantly more potent toxin than ethanol, and its first metabolite, acetaldehyde, is responsible for at least a portion of ethanol toxicity. Some of the acetaldehyde gets into your bloodstream, causing damage to your membranes and possibly scar tissue. It also causes a hangover, as well as a racing heart, a headache, and an upset stomach. Acetaldehyde intoxication has the greatest impact on the brain. It impairs memory and causes issues with brain activity.

Based on insufficient human cancer research and animal studies that showed nasal cancers in rats and laryngeal tumours in hamsters, acetaldehyde is classified as a potential human carcinogen. One of the main culprits mediating the fibrogenic and mutagenic effects of alcohol in the liver is acetaldehyde, a significant toxic metabolite. Acetaldehyde stimulates the development of adducts, which causes functional impairments in essential proteins, such as enzymes, as well as DNA damage, which promotes mutagenesis.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What is acetaldehyde?

Acetaldehyde is present in various plants, ripe fruits, vegetables, smoke from tobacco, gasoline and exhaust from the engine. This material is commonly used as a flavouring agent and as an intermediate in alcohol metabolism in the manufacture of acetic acid, perfumes, dyes, and medicines. The chemical formula of Acetaldehyde is CH3CHO

What are the health effects of acetaldehyde?

Acute (short-term) exposure to acetaldehyde results in effects which include eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. Symptoms of chronic (long-term) acetaldehyde poisoning mimic those of alcoholism.

How does acetaldehyde affect the liver?

A major toxic metabolite, acetaldehyde is one of the main culprits mediating fibrogenic and mutagenic effects of alcohol in the liver. Mechanistically, acetaldehyde promotes the formation of adducts, leading to functional impairments of key proteins, including enzymes, and DNA damage, which promotes mutagenesis.

What is the difference between formaldehyde and acetaldehyde?

The iodoform test will differentiate the formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Methyl ketones react to yellow precipitate by giving iodine and potassium hydroxide. Acetaldehyde binds to the carboxylic acid with iodine and KOH to give sodium salt. Formaldehyde does not screen for iodoformity.

What are the uses of acetaldehyde?

In other applications, acetaldehyde serves as an additive such as fruit and fish preservatives, flavouring agents, and gelatine hardening. Acetaldehyde is also used as a preservative for fruit and fish in the manufacture of vinegar, yeast and.

Will acetaldehyde pass the Tollen’s Test?

Tollen’s test identifies an aldehyde functional group or an alpha-hydroxy ketone functional group in a given material. It uses a Tollen’s reagent, which is caused by combining ammonia and silver nitrate. Since acetaldehyde has -CHO (aldehyde) as a functional group, it will give a positive Tollen test. When acetaldehyde is heated with the reagent, the silver metal is reduced and forms a coat of metallic silver, indicating that the test was successful.

What is the key difference between acetaldehyde and acetone?

Acetaldehyde and acetone are both colourless liquids. The primary distinction between acetaldehyde and acetone is that the former contains -CHO (aldehyde) and the latter contains -CO(Ketone) as a functional group.

Can acetaldehyde act as an excellent reducing agent?

A reducing agent is an agent that undergoes oxidation but reduces others. Acetaldehyde is easily oxidised in strong oxidising agents such as potassium permanganate. Potassium dichromate or mild oxidising agents and is converted into carboxylic acids. Because it has a higher oxidation potential, it will reduce the number of other species. For example, it reduces tollen’s reagent, Benedict’s solution, and Fehling’s solution.

Can acetaldehyde cause an iodoform test to be positive?

The iodoform test is a highly effective method for determining the presence of methyl ketone groups in an unknown compound. Acetaldehyde has the chemical formula CH3CHO. Because it contains the COCH3 group (methyl ketone group), it will result in a positive iodoform test. Remember that it is the only aldehyde that gives this test a positive result.

Q10

CnH2n+1CHO is the general formula for aldehydes. What is the “n” value for acetaldehyde?

Acetaldehyde has a “n” value of 1. When n=1, the formula becomes CH3CHO, which is the formula for acetaldehyde.

Learn more about the Structure, physical and chemical properties of Acetaldehyde from the experts at BYJU’S.

Acetaldehyde - C2H4O