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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.
Intermediate
2–3 days
Instructions
1
1
Make calcium acetate
Make calcium acetate
Soak crushed limestone in vinegar. The acetic acid dissolves the calcium carbonate as calcium acetate.
Materials for this step:
Calcium Carbonate - Crushed Limestone1 as required
Vinegar1 as requiredTools needed:
Precipitation Tank2
2
Dry the salt
Dry the salt
Draw off the solution and evaporate the water to leave dry calcium acetate.
Tools needed:
Evaporator3
3
Dry-distil
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.
Tools needed:
Iron Retort
Condenser CoilMaterials
2- 1 as requiredPlaceholder
- 1 as requiredPlaceholder
Tools Required
4- Placeholder
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