Page 65 - Chemical and process design handbook

Speight_Part II_A 11/7/01 3:16 PM Page 2.6

2.6 MANUFACTURE OF CHEMICALS
(CH CO H) and is currently an important intermediate in the production
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of acetic acid, acetic anhydride (CH CO-O-OCCH ), ethyl acetate
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(CH CO-OC H ), peracetic acid (CH CO-O-OH) and a variety of other
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,
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chemicals such as pentaerythritol, chloral, glyoxal, alkylamines, and
pyridines.
In aqueous solutions, acetaldehyde exists in equilibrium with the
acetaldehyde hydrate [CH CH(OH) ]. The enol form, vinyl alcohol
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(CH =CHOH) exists in equilibrium with acetaldehyde to the extent of
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0.003% (1 molecule in approximately 30,000) and can be acetylated with
ketene (CH =C=O) to form vinyl acetate (CH =CHOCOCH ).
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