Interaction | Reaction | Process     Data Page

Acetaldehyde can be oxidised to acetic anhydride using Cu(I) acetate catalyst.

The mechanism is complicated. A radical abstracts H from acetaldehyde forming an acetyl radical which is oxidised to the acetyl cation by a Cu2+ ion. The acetyl cation reacts with acetic acid to give acetic anhydride. At the same time, peracetic acid is formed which oxidises Cu+ to Cu2+.

Industrial Organic Chemistry, 3rd. Ed. K. Weissermel, H.-J. Arpe, VCH (1997)

2
CH3CHO
  +  
O2
  +  
Cu2+
         
(CH3CO)2CO
  +  
H2O
Reactant Page Go To Go To
Acetaldehyde     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Oxygen     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Copper(II) ion Catalyst    Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Acetic anhydride     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming
Water     Reactions Using    Reactions Forming

Interaction, Reaction, Process defined as:
Industrial Process: Organic
Oxidation: Of Substrate By Reagent
Radical Substitution

© Mark R. Leach 1999 –

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