Acetaldehyde

Acetaldehyde is a volatile, colorless organic compound with formula C₂H₄O. It forms during ethanol metabolism and serves as an industrial chemical intermediate.

Aldehyde: An organic compound containing a terminal carbonyl group bonded to hydrogen. Acetaldehyde is the simplest aldehyde, with its carbonyl group driving characteristic reactions.
Wacker process: An industrial process that oxidizes ethylene to acetaldehyde using palladium and copper catalysts. It became a major route for manufacturing acetaldehyde from ethylene.
Alcohol dehydrogenase: A family of enzymes that oxidizes alcohols, including ethanol, to aldehydes. It catalyzes the first major step from ethanol to acetaldehyde in the liver.
Carcinogen: An agent capable of causing cancer by promoting or initiating malignant changes. Acetaldehyde is classified as carcinogenic to humans in exposures associated with alcohol consumption.
Carbonyl group: A functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to oxygen. This group makes acetaldehyde susceptible to nucleophilic addition and oxidation.
Paraldehyde: A cyclic trimer formed by the acid-catalyzed polymerization of acetaldehyde. This historically used sedative is made by linking three acetaldehyde molecules.
Aldehyde dehydrogenase: A family of enzymes that oxidizes aldehydes into carboxylic acids. It clears acetaldehyde by converting it primarily into acetate.
DNA adduct: A chemical group covalently attached to DNA, potentially altering its structure or function. Acetaldehyde forms DNA adducts that can interfere with replication and repair.
Acetic acid: A two-carbon carboxylic acid with formula CH₃COOH. Oxidation converts acetaldehyde into acetic acid in metabolism and industrial processes.
Pentaerythritol: A polyol used to make alkyd resins, lubricants, and explosives. Acetaldehyde is a feedstock in a route to this industrial polyol.

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