How to Make Acetone from Calcium Acetate

TL;DR

To make acetone from calcium acetate, heat the acetate to break it down into calcium carbonate and acetone through distillation. Expect side reactions that may produce a yellow color and unusual smell in the distillate. For higher purity suitable for synthesis, multiple fractional distillations may be necessary.

Transcript

today we're going to be making a little bit of acetone using calcium acetate that I made in a previous video the procedure is pretty straightforward and we effectively just need to heat up the calcium acetate and it will eventually break down to form calcium carbonate and acetone this used to be the go-to process to produce acetone but nowadays it'... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎯 The traditional method of producing acetone involves heating calcium acetate, but it is now replaced by the cumine process that targets phenol.
• 💛 The distillation process for obtaining acetone from calcium acetate is complicated by side reactions and impurities, resulting in a yellow color and strange smell.
• ❓ Purifying the acetone through fractional distillation can improve its purity, but additional distillations may be required for specific synthesis purposes.
• 💦 Working with acetone requires caution due to its flammability, and proper ventilation and safety measures are necessary.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is the cumine process preferred over the calcium acetate method for producing acetone?

The cumine process, which targets phenol, is now widely used as it yields both phenol and acetone, whereas the calcium acetate process only produces acetone as a byproduct.

Q: Can the acetone obtained from this process be directly used in chemical synthesis?

The acetone obtained may contain impurities and should be distilled multiple times to ensure higher purity and suitability for synthesis purposes.

Q: Why does the distillate have a yellow color and a strange smell?

The yellow color and strange smell in the distillate are likely due to side reactions and impurities present in the calcium acetate used, which was derived from Tums and had organic material.

Q: What precautions must be taken when working with acetone during the distillation process?

Acetone vapor is flammable, so it is crucial to work in a well-ventilated area. Proper safety measures, such as using a flame-resistant setup, are necessary to avoid accidents.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The process involves heating calcium acetate to break it down into calcium carbonate and acetone.

• Side reactions and impurities result in a yellow color and a strange smell in the distillate.

• Fractional distillation is used to further purify the acetone, but multiple distillations may be required for synthesis purposes.