Acrolein and Derivatives

Abstract

Acrolein (C3H4O), (2-propenal) is the simplest unsaturated aldehyde . The primary characteristic of acrolein is its high reactivity due to conjugation of the carbonyl group with a vinyl group. More than 80% of the refined acrolein that is produced today goes into the synthesis of methionine. Much larger quantities of crude acrolein are produced as an intermediate in the production of acrylic acid. Acrolein is a highly toxic material with extreme lacrimatory properties. Special care in handling is required because of its flammability, reactivity, and toxicity. Acrolein is highly reactive in a variety of reactions, including oxidation and reduction and in reactions with alcohols. Because of its antimicrobial activity, it has found use as an agent to control the growth of microbes in process feed lines.