Acetyl Chloride, Research Paper Example

Acetyl chloride which is also referred to as acyl chloride is one of the flammable liquids that are produced through a chemical reaction that involves acetic acid and chlorodehyrating chemicals. This first reaction may produce the chemical that is polluted with sulfur or traces of phosphorus. The best recommended chemical reaction to produce the chemical involves acetic chloride with hydrogen chloride. The process may also produce some traces of hydrochloric acid which should be distilled to get pure Acetyl chloride. The last method of producing the chemical involves a carbonylation process for methylchloride. In this process, the later chemical is heated at a certain temperature to give Acetyl chloride. If 915 gallons of the chemical is produced and shipped, DOT will require the carrier to display the ‘FLAMMABLE’ placard because the chemical can react with compounds such as water and air, for instance the chemical produces smoke it is exposed to the air (Hosea, 2009).

The bulk spill of the chemical is very dangerous for streams and lakes due to its chemical reactions with water. Acetyl Chloride can react with water to and breaks down in to chloride and hydrogen compounds. The chemical process is called hydrolysis whereby the compounds of chloride and hydrogen react further to produce hydrochloric acid. Streams or lakes contaminated with the chemical will contain traces of hydrochloric acid which are very dangerous for aquatic life. The acid interferes with the breathing of aquatic animals in the rivers and lakes. Moreover, water contaminated with hydrochloric acid is not safe for human use. The reaction also produced chemical vapors that irritate the eye, inhalation of the vapors also causes respiratory infections (Leo, 2005).

References

Leo A. P. (2005). “Acetyl chloride”. Handbook of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, Activating Agents and Protective Groups. John Wiley & Sons. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-471-97927-2.

Hosea C. (2009) “Acetic Acid” in Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, , Wiley- VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a01_045

Takao M. (2010) “Benzoic Acid and Derivatives” Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry , Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi: 10.1002/14356007.a03_555