乙醛是有机化学工业的重要原料,主要是用来制造醋酸和醋酸酐。醋酸在有机工业上的重要性就和硫酸在无机工业中所占的重要地位一样。它大部分用以供醋酸纤维、塑料、醋酸酐的制造。美国1956年生产约25万吨醋酸和41万吨醋酸酐。他们制造这些醋酸和醋酸酐主要就是从乙醛出发的。假定完全是从乙醛制造的话,那么就需要18.3万吨和35.3万吨。乙醛的 Acetaldehyde is an important raw material in the organic chemical industry and is mainly used to make acetic acid and acetic anhydride. The importance of acetic acid in the organic industry is the same as the importance of sulfuric acid in the inorganic industry. It is mostly used for the manufacture of acetate, plastics and acetic anhydride. In 1956, the United States produced about 250,000 tons of acetic acid and 410,000 tons of acetic anhydride. They manufacture acetic acid and acetic anhydride mainly from acetaldehyde. Assuming that it is made entirely from acetaldehyde, then 183,000 tons and 353,000 tons are needed. Acetaldehyde