Acetic acid

Raw materials

1. Methanol

2. Carbon moxide

Process

Methanol carbonylation 

(Most acetic acid is produced by methanol carbonylation.)

Methanol and carbon monoxide are reacted to produce acetic acid according to the chemical equation:

CH₃OH + CO → CH₃COOH

The process involves iodomethane as an intermediate, and occurs in three steps. A catalyst, usually a metal complex, is needed for the carbonylation (step 2).

1. CH₃OH + HI → CH₃I + H₂O
2. CH₃I + CO → CH₃COI
3. CH₃COI + H₂O → CH₃COOH + HI

Product

Acetic acid

Used in

Vinyl acetate monomer (can be polymerized to polyvinyl acetate or to other polymers, which are applied in paint and adhesives), ester production (for inks, paints, and coatings), vinegar

Production facility

Bundaberg, QLD

Export

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso