Acetylacetone

PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
Acetylacetone is clear, colourless, mobile liquid with ketone-like odour

• Alternate name 2,4-Pentandione, Diacetyl methane, Pentane-2,4-dione

• CAS number: 123-54-6

• Chemical formula: C5H8O2 (CH3COCH2COCH3)

• Density at 20 deg C: 0.971-0.972 g/ml

• Boiling point: 138 to 140 deg. C

Storage

• Acetylacetone has a shelf life of at least 6 months, if the product would be stored
in the tightly closed original containers in a dry and cool place.
 PRODUCT SPECIFICATION

• Name of the producer: Wacker Chemie AG, Germany

Description Value

Acetyl acetone Min. 99.5%

Acetic acid Max. 0.05%

Water Max. 0.1%

2,4-Hexanedione Max. 0.1 %

Other impurities Max. 0.1 %

Colour index Max. 20

 PRODUCT APPLICATION
Acetylacetone is building block for synthesis of many chemical intermediates and derivatives.

The thrust area of applications include pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, petroleum and petrochemical
industry, coating and as catalyst

Pharmaceutical sector

 An intermediate in the synthesis of anti-virus agent WIN51771 (against rhinoviral infection --

respiratory tract illness)

 An intermediate to produce bulk drugs (Sulfamethazine, Nicarbazine etc)

 As a precursor in the synthesis of vitamin B6 and K

 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole produced through the reaction of acetylacetone with hydrazine hydrate is an
intermediate for the production of diabetes drug.

Agrochemicals

Acetyl acetone is used as an intermediate in the production of pesticide, fungicides and herbicides (like
sulfonyl urea)
 PRODUCT APPLICATION
Catalyst

Acetylacetone can be used as catalyst and oxidization promoter for oil cracking, hydrogenation and
carbonylation in the polymeric synthesis of lower olefin homo-polymerization and co-polymerization
and 1,3-diolefin co-polymerization.

It is used in the preparation of metal acetylacetonates (which are used as in the production of industrial
hydroformylation catalysts.

Coatings

Acetylacetone is used in the production of coatings and anti-corrosion agents.

Acetyl acetone acts as a pot-life extender in coating applications, which extends the curing time.

Used as additive in liquid printing ink for flexographic & gravure process.

It is used as dryer of paint and varnish.

 PRODUCT APPLICATION
Catalyst

Acetylacetone can be used as catalyst and oxidization promoter for oil cracking, hydrogenation and
carbonylation in the polymeric synthesis of lower olefin homo-polymerization and co-polymerization
and 1,3-diolefin co-polymerization.

It is used in the preparation of metal acetylacetonates (which are used as in the production of industrial
hydroformylation catalysts.

Coatings

Acetylacetone is used in the production of coatings and anti-corrosion agents.

Acetyl acetone acts as a pot-life extender in coating applications, which extends the curing time.

Used as additive in liquid printing ink for flexographic & gravure process.

It is used as dryer of paint and varnish.

 PRODUCT APPLICATION
Petroleum and petrochemical industry

Acetyl acetone is preferred solvent to selective leaching of nickel, vanadium etc in

palladium catalyst used in hydrotreating and polymer production.

Other applications

 As a solvent for cellulose acetate, used as additive in gasoline and lubricant,

 Acts as a radical initiator in peroxide compounds to induce polymerization.

 An intermediate used in organic synthesis as a building block for heterocyclic

compounds such as isoxazoles, pyrazoles, pyrimidines, pyridines etc.

 As resin bridging agent and forming agent of hot-wire reflecting glass,

transparent conducting film and super transmitting film.
 TRADE ANALYSIS
Annual import / export

Period: April 2015 to March 2016 (12 months)

• Import: 634 tonne
• Export: Nil

Period : April 2016 to December 2016 (9 months)

• Import: 490 tonne
• Export: Nil
 SUPPLY ANALYSIS

• Acetyl acetone is presently not produced in

India.

• No new project for acetyl acetone is in the

advanced stage of planning or implementation
in the country at present.
 DEMAND ANALYSIS
Demand driver

• Acetyl acetone has applications in the production of pharmaceuticals,

Petroleum and petrochemicals, coatings, catalysts etc.

• The application sectors are growth oriented.

Growth rate in demand for acetyl acetone

• Annual Average Growth Rate (AAGR) in demand through 2023: 6 %

 DEMAND ANALYSIS
Indian demand – Period April 2017 to March 2018

Indian demand for acetyl acetone: 700 tonne