Acetic Anhydride Hydrolysis at High Acetic Anhydride to Water Ratios

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ABSTRACTThe hydrolysis of acetic anhydride in the presence of water is an exothermic reaction that produces acetic acid. Most of the research has focused on low ratios of acetic anhydride to water. The major concern in the industry is the accidental addition of a small amount of water to large quantities of acetic anhydride stored in tanks, or as handled in a manufacturing process. This paper focuses on isothermal and adiabatic experiments that were conducted to understand the effect and rate of hydrolysis at high ratios of acetic anhydride to water. The acetic acid produced in the reaction also affects the rate of reaction. Detailed calorimetric data and specific rate expressions that have been developed are presented in this paper.