Aldehydes are made by oxidizing primary alcohols. The Aldehyde Produced can be oxidized further to a carboxylic acid by the acidified potassium dichromate solution used as the oxidizing agent. As shown in the Aldehyde production process flow diagram, smaller quantities of acetaldehyde can be prepared by the partial oxidation of ethanol in an exothermic reaction. This process typically is conducted over a silver catalyst at about 500-600 degrees Celsius. In the preparation of acetaldehyde from ethyl alcohol, it is distilled out as soon as it is formed so that it cannot be further oxidized to the carboxylic acid by acidified potassium dichromate solution used as an oxidizing agent.
