Acetic Anhydride
Introduction
http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu/chemweek/pdf/aceticacid.pdf http://www.chemicalbook.com/ChemicalProductProperty_EN_CB2852742.htm Acetic anhydride is a clear, colorless, mobile (free-flowing) liquid with a sharp odor similar to that of acetic acid. It hydrolyzes in water to yield acetic acid. In its liquid or vapor state, acetic anhydride can irritate body tissues, possibly leading to the death of such tissue. Acetic anhydride melts at –73EC, boils at 139EC, and has a density of 1.080 g/mL at 15EC. It is flammable with a flash point of 54EC. This compound is readily combustible and representsa fire hazard. As the name indicates, an acid anhydride is a compound that is related to an acid by the loss of water. Acetic anhydride can by prepared by the dehydration of acetic acid at 800°C.

As with acetic acid, the primary use of acetic anhydride is used in the manufacture of cellulose acetate for films and plastic goods; about 75 percent of the acetic anhydride produced annually in the United States is used for this purpose. Approximately 1.5 percent of the annual acetic anhydride production is used in the synthesis of aspirin. Other uses include the manufacture of industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, plastics, synthetic fibers, explosives, and weed killers. Because acetic anhydride reacts with water, it is sometimes used as a dehydrating agent in reaction mixtures where removal of water is necessary.

Market Overview http://www.orbichem.com/userfiles/CNF%20Samples/aca_13_11.pdf US acetic anhydride prices remained flat in the first half of October, but later in the month market conditions began to change. Spot methanol prices jumped up to 160 c/gal during the week of 21-25 October, and November methanol contract prices were settled up 15 c/gal to 174-180 c/gal by major producers. Celanese issued an 8% price increase for core grades of acetate tow, effective 1 January 2014, on an FOB plant basis. Consumers have resisted price increase attempts during 2013, but pressure from feedstock prices was increasing. Eastman’s internal acetic anhydride consumption will increase in 2014 as the company plans to expand its “Triton” copolyester capacity.
Europe’s acetic anhydride prices for Q3 were settled at a rollover compared to the second quarter, continuing a market trend stretching back over almost two years. Even though there were no official price increases announced forOctober, one acetic anhydride consumer said it expected producers will use the feedstock prices as justification for an increase during Q4. The two key raw materials for acetic anhydride – acetic acid and methanol – were beginning to increase in October. The Q4 methanol contract price increased to €408/ton fob Rotterdam, up €18/ton compared to the Q3 total, and acetic acid spot prices were also increasing.
In China, acetic anhydride prices increased slightly in October due to upstream feedstock price increases. Although the price increased, high feedstock prices and sluggish demand meant profits were not good during October and the average operating rate decreased to around 30%. At the end of October, the acetic anhydride price in East China was Rmb4900-5000/ton ex work, Rmb5200-5250/ton delivered in Middle China while Rmb5000-5100/ton delivered in North China.

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