C2 H4 O

Acetaldehyde
KEY FEATURES:
• Miscible in any ratio with water and the usual organic solvents
• Highly reactive intermediate

AMERICAS: sales-intermediatechemistry-am@celanese.com
celanese.com/intermediate-chemistry EUROPE: sales-intermediatechemistry-eu@celanese.com
celanesechemicals.com
ASIA OUTSIDE CHINA: sales-intermediatechemistry-aoc@celanese.com
chemvip.com
CHINA: sales-intermediatechemistry-cn@celanese.com
 C2 H4 O

Acetaldehyde
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Acetaldehyde, produced by catalytic oxidation from
ethylene, is a readily flammable, clear, colorless liquid with
a pungent odor. Acetaldehyde is miscible in any ratio with
water and the usual organic solvents. In the presence of
air or oxygen, acetaldehyde tends to form peroxide and
oxidizes to acetic acid. In the presence of mineral acids
(traces) it tends to polymerize and, in the presence
of alkalis, it is inclined to condense or resinify.
APPLICATIONS
Acetaldehyde is an important precursor product
for purposes including the commercial-scale
manufacture of acetic acid, ethanol, acetic anhydride,
peracetic acid, ethyl acetate, glyoxal, crotonaldehyde,
maleic acid, pentaerythritol, mono-, di- and
trichloroacetyl chloride and pyridine bases. It is also
used as an intermediate in the synthesis of dyes,
pharmaceuticals, perfumes and pesticides.

TYPICAL PROPERTIES Unit

Molar mass g/mol 44.05
Boiling temperature at 1013 hPa °C 20
Melting temperature °C -123
Density at 18°C (DIN 51 757) g/cm 3
0.783
Refractive index
1.337
nD at 10°C (DIN 51 423)
Vapor pressure a t 25°C hPa 1203
at 50°C hPa 2794
Vapor density (air = 1) 1.52
Dielectric constant at 10°C (DIN 53 483) 21.8

Copyright ©2013 Celanese or its affiliates. All rights reserved.

This publication was printed on October 1, 2013, based on Celanese’s present state of knowledge, and Celanese undertakes no obligation to update it. Because conditions of
product use are outside Celanese’s control, Celanese makes no warranties, express or implied, and assumes no liability in connection with any use of this information. Nothing
herein is intended as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any patents.