Eastman Acetaldehyde is a highly reactive, flammable, colorless liquid. It is miscible with water, ethyl alcohol, ethyl ether, acetone, benzene, gasoline, toluene, xylene, and acetic acid. Acetaldehyde undergoes the general reactions of aldehydes and is important for numerous condensation, addition, and polymerization reactions.

Acetaldehyde undergoes the aldol condensation by which crotonaldehyde and higher aldehydes are formed. The aldol condensation of formaldehyde with acetaldehyde yields pentaerythritol. The Tischenko reaction of acetaldehyde with isobutylraldehyde yields a mixture of ethyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, and isobutyl isobutyrate. Pyridine and pyridine derivatives are produced from the reaction of acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and ammonia. Other derivatives of acetaldehyde include lactic acid, 1,3-butylene glycol, and chloral.

Acetaldehyde is available in North America in tank cars and tank trucks. For quantities less than a single tank truck, please contact Aldrich Chemical Company (800-213-1206) regarding their returnable container program.