Acetone by Dry Distillation of Acetate of Lime

Before the cumene process, acetone was made from "acetate of lime", calcium acetate. Limestone (calcium carbonate) soaked in vinegar gives calcium acetate; when the dry salt is heated it breaks down into calcium carbonate and acetone: Ca(CH₃COO)₂ → CaCO₃ + (CH₃)₂CO. Charles Friedel reported this dry distillation in 1858, and until World War I it was the main commercial way to make acetone. The calcium carbonate is left behind in the retort and the acetone distils over.

중급

2–3 days

안내

Make calcium acetate

Soak crushed limestone in vinegar. The acetic acid dissolves the calcium carbonate as calcium acetate.

이 단계의 재료:

탄산칼슘 — 부순 석회암1 as required

식초1 as required

필요한 도구:

침전 반응조

Dry the salt

Draw off the solution and evaporate the water to leave dry calcium acetate.

필요한 도구:

증발기

Dry-distil

Heat the dry calcium acetate in a closed retort. It decomposes into calcium carbonate, which stays behind, and acetone, which comes off as vapour; condense it.

필요한 도구: