Propionaldehyde
 Freshly prepared propionaldehyde
| |
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Propanal
| |
| Preferred IUPAC name
Propanal | |
| Other names
1-Propanal
Methylacetaldehyde Propaldehyde n-Propanal Propionic aldehyde | |
| Properties | |
| C3H6O CH3CH2CHO | |
| Molar mass | 58.080 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Fruity-like, pungent |
| Density | 0.81 g/cm3 (20 °C) |
| Melting point | −81 °C (−114 °F; 192 K) |
| Boiling point | 48 °C (118 °F; 321 K) |
| 30.6 g/100 ml (25 °C) | |
| Solubility | Miscible with alcohols, esters, ethers, halocarbons |
| Vapor pressure | 235 mmHg (at 20 °C) |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Flash point | −26 °C (−15 °F; 247 K) |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
|
1,690 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Acetaldehyde Butyraldehyde |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Propionaldehyde or propanal is the organic compound with the formula CH3CH2CHO.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
The condensation reaction between propanal and formaldehyde yields trimethylolethane.
Propanal will polymerize in presence of strong acids acids or bases. Can also occur in contact with methyl methacrylate.
Physical
Propionaldehyde is a colorless volatile liquid, with a strong pungent fruity-like odor. It is partially soluble in water, but miscible with other organic solvents.
Availability
Propionaldehyde is sold by chemical suppliers.
Preparation
Propionaldehyde can be easily produced by oxidizing propanol with a mixture of sulfuric acid and potassium dichromate.
- CH3CH2CH2OH + [O] → CH3CH2CHO + H2O
The reflux condenser contains water heated at 60 °C, which condenses unreacted propanol, but allows propionaldehyde to pass. The propionaldehyde vapor is immediately condensed into a suitable receiver. In this arrangement, any propionaldehyde formed is immediately removed from the reactor, thus it does not get over-oxidized to propionic acid.[1]
Industrially, propionaldehyde is produced by hydroformylation of ethylene:
- CO + H2 + C2H4 → CH3CH2CHO
Projects
- Synthesis of n-propyl amine
- Preparation of trimethylolethane
Handling
Safety
Propanal may be harmful and should be handled with care. With an LD50 of 1690 mg/kg (oral), propionaldehyde exhibits low acute toxicity.
Storage
In closed bottles, away from light, air and bases.
Disposal
Should be mixed with ethanol and incinerated.
