Commercial Carboxylic Acids

Some commercially important carboxylic acid, ethanoic acid and benzoic acid. Let us study their industrial preparation and uses.
    
1. Methanoic acid (Formic acid): it is prepared on large scale by reacting carbon monoxide will aqueous sodium hydroxide under the presence of 1 atmosphere and 473 K.



Methanoic acid is used in rubber, leather and electroplating industry.
    
2. Ethanoic acid (acetic acid):
    
(i) From acetylene: Acetylene is first oxidized with 40%, H₂SO₄ in the presence of mercuric sulphate.



Acetylene is finally oxidized with air in the presence of manganous acetate catalyst.


    
(ii) From ethyl alcohol: In this method ethyl alcohol is first dehydrogenated with hot reduced copper to acetaldehyde. The acetaldehyde obtained is oxidized with air in the presence of manganous acetate as catalyst to acidic acid.



It can also be produced from carboxylation methanol in the presence of rhodium catalyst.



Acetic acid is also obtained in dilute form (called vinegar) by the fermentation of ethyl alcohol with bacteria, acetobacter in the presence of air. This is a very old method for obtaining vinegar.



Ethanoic acid is used in the manufacture of rayon and in plastic, rubber and silk industries. It also finds use as a solvent. Vinegar is used in cooking.
    
3. Benzoic acid: is prepared by oxidation of toluene and other alkyl benzenes as discussed earlier. In the form of esters, benzoic acid is used in perfume industry. The salts of benzoic acid like sodium benzoate are used as food preservatives.

Services: - Commercial Carboxylic Acids Homework | Commercial Carboxylic Acids Homework Help | Commercial Carboxylic Acids Homework Help Services | Live Commercial Carboxylic Acids Homework Help | Commercial Carboxylic Acids Homework Tutors | Online Commercial Carboxylic Acids Homework Help | Commercial Carboxylic Acids Tutors | Online Commercial Carboxylic Acids Tutors | Commercial Carboxylic Acids Homework Services | Commercial Carboxylic Acids