Production Pathways of Acetic Acid and Its Versatile ...

1. Introduction

The bridge between chemistry and the day-to-day human life is always growing wider and stronger, and acetic acid is one of the perfect examples. Acetic acid is a clear liquid with a pungent odour, sharp taste, melting point of 16.73°C and boils at 117.9°C. Acetic acid, traditionally known as &#;vinegar&#; is widely used as a food preservative, first discovered (c.  BC) when unattended grape juice turned into wine. A famous physician Hippocrates II (c. 420 BC) used acetic acid to clean the wounds [1]. With direct and indirect applications of acetic acid, it has diversified into several chemical sectors such as food, pharma, chemical, textile, polymer, medicinal, cosmetics etc. Since then, acetic acid is proven to be a multi-application chemical building block resulting in ever-increasing demand. The production of acetic acid is expected to reach 18 million ton with an average growth of 5% per year [2, 3].

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The overall routes for production and the applications of acetic acid are shown in Figure 1. Currently, the manufacturing demand is fulfilled via two main production routes, which are chemical and fermentative. Among the chemical manufacturing processes, the key processes are Cavita process (carbonylation of methanol), oxidation of aldehyde and oxidation of ethylene. The major players are BP chemicals and BASF, which follow carbonylation route. The major consumption of acetic acid mainly comes from the preparation of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), acetic anhydride and C1-C4 acetates and it is used as a solvent in synthesis of terephthalic acid (PET). VAM is one of the main ingredients used in polymer industry with application as emulsifier, resins, as intermediate in surface coating agent, acrylic fiber and polymer wires. It is also used in textile industry to generate synthetic fibers as a result of condensation reaction. The other condensation reaction of acetic acid produces acetic anhydride used as typical acetylation agent, which is subsequently utilized to produce cellulose acetate, used in synthetic textiles and for silver-based photographic films. Most derived esters of acetic acid are ethyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate and propyl acetate, which are frequently used as solvents for inks, paints and coatings. Glacial acetic acid is an excellent polar protic solvent that is frequently used as a solvent for recrystallization to purify organic compounds. Several researchers are working on developing a sustainable process with the simple design to produce acetic acid that meets current demand. Several homogeneous as well as heterogeneous catalytic systems are reported for the production of acetic acid with carbonylation process [4].

Acetic acid produced via fermentation route is mainly utilized in the food industry in the form of vinegar. Use of vinegar is more diversified these days, with more innovative ways to adjust and suit the current lifestyle and food culture. The different concentrations of acetic acid are used to sharpen the taste of food with a longer shelf life period and as a food preservative. Some new applications have also come such as edible and non-edible antimicrobial coating [5, 6].

This chapter reviews the current commercial processes for the synthesis of acetic acid to meet an ever-increasing global demand. The chapter also gives insight into the pros and cons associated with the process available and then how should we design a sustainable strategy to develop a simple commercial process. Further, the state of art to produce vinegar is discussed with exploitation as a multiapplication tool in the modern food industry.

Test Your Knowledge

Acetic Acid Quiz:

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What is the chemical formula for acetic acid? a) CH&#;COOH b) H&#;SO&#; c) HCl d) NaOH

a) CH&#;COOH

2. Which of the following is NOT a major industrial application of acetic acid? a) Production of polymers and plastics b) Food preservation and flavoring c) Manufacturing of fertilizers d) Dyeing and finishing of textiles

c) Manufacturing of fertilizers

3. How does acetic acid contribute to air pollution? a) It releases ozone into the atmosphere. b) It reacts with water to form acid rain. c) It releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs). d) It forms particulate matter that can be inhaled.

c) It releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

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4. What is a sustainable solution to address environmental concerns related to acetic acid production? a) Using more traditional production methods. b) Increasing the amount of acetic acid produced. c) Developing bio-based production methods. d) Disposing of acetic acid waste in landfills.

c) Developing bio-based production methods.

5. Which of the following is NOT a potential environmental impact of acetic acid? a) Water contamination b) Soil acidification c) Depletion of the ozone layer d) Impact on aquatic life

c) Depletion of the ozone layer

Acetic Acid Exercise:

Instructions:

Imagine you are a chemist working for a company that produces acetic acid. Your manager is concerned about the environmental impacts of the current production process.

Task:

• Research and propose two specific actions your company can implement to minimize the environmental impact of acetic acid production.
• Briefly explain the benefits of each action and how they address the environmental concerns.

Possible actions and explanations:

• **Invest in Green Chemistry Technologies:** Implementing green chemistry principles can significantly reduce hazardous chemicals and waste generated during production. This could involve using alternative catalysts that are less toxic, developing energy-efficient processes, or using renewable feedstocks. * **Benefits:** Reduced emissions of VOCs and hazardous substances, less water and energy consumption, and improved product safety.
• **Implement a Comprehensive Waste Management System:** This could involve recycling acetic acid byproducts, treating wastewater to remove contaminants, and properly disposing of any remaining waste. * **Benefits:** Reduced water pollution, reduced landfill waste, and potential for recovering valuable resources.

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