How is Acetaldehyde converted into Lactic acid?
Answer
300.3k+ views
Hint: Acetaldehyde is also known as Ethanal. Lactic acid preparation from acetaldehyde is also an industrial method of its preparation. Lactic acid is a natural acid found in an animal's body.
Complete step by step solution:
Racemic (a mixture composed of dextrorotatory (d-) and laevorotatory (l-) forms of a particular compound in the equal proportion, i.e. 1:1 ratio) lactic acid is synthesised in industries by the reaction of acetaldehyde with hydrogen cyanide. Then the resultant lactonitrile is hydrolysed. When hydrolysis is performed by hydrochloric acid, ammonium chloride is formed as a by-product of the reaction.
\[C{H_3}CHO\xrightarrow{{HCN}}C{H_3}CH(OH)CN{H_2}O/{H^ + } \to C{H_3}CH(OH)C = O - OH\]
Additional information
Lactic acid is an important byproduct of anaerobic respiration in animals. Extreme Lactic acid accumulation in the muscles can lead to fatigue and tired muscles.
Some important processes stated in the answer and their meanings:
i.) Racemic- It refers to a mixture of both dextrorotatory and laevorotatory forms or isomers of a particular compound found in equal ratio or equal amount i.e. 1:1.
ii.) Hydrolysis- It refers to a chemical process which is the decomposition involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation(\[{H^ + }\]) and the hydroxide anion (\[O{H^ - }\]) of water. Hydrolysis reactions are the exact reverse of condensation reactions in their mechanism of action.
iii.) Fermentation - it is the chemical process which involves breaking down of glucose with the action of bacterias and microbes without the presence of air(i.e. anaerobically).
iv.) Dextrorotatory - In simple terms, it refers to the ability of a compound to rotate polarised light in a clockwise manner.
v.) Laevorotatory - In simple terms, it refers to the ability of a compound to change the direction of polarised incident light to the left or in anti-clockwise direction.
Note: Lactic acid can also be prepared by fermentation of carbohydrates by the action of bacteria and other microbes. As a matter of fact, Lactic acid was predominantly produced by fermentation before the reaction of acetaldehyde was known.
Complete step by step solution:
Racemic (a mixture composed of dextrorotatory (d-) and laevorotatory (l-) forms of a particular compound in the equal proportion, i.e. 1:1 ratio) lactic acid is synthesised in industries by the reaction of acetaldehyde with hydrogen cyanide. Then the resultant lactonitrile is hydrolysed. When hydrolysis is performed by hydrochloric acid, ammonium chloride is formed as a by-product of the reaction.
\[C{H_3}CHO\xrightarrow{{HCN}}C{H_3}CH(OH)CN{H_2}O/{H^ + } \to C{H_3}CH(OH)C = O - OH\]
Additional information
Lactic acid is an important byproduct of anaerobic respiration in animals. Extreme Lactic acid accumulation in the muscles can lead to fatigue and tired muscles.
Some important processes stated in the answer and their meanings:
i.) Racemic- It refers to a mixture of both dextrorotatory and laevorotatory forms or isomers of a particular compound found in equal ratio or equal amount i.e. 1:1.
ii.) Hydrolysis- It refers to a chemical process which is the decomposition involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation(\[{H^ + }\]) and the hydroxide anion (\[O{H^ - }\]) of water. Hydrolysis reactions are the exact reverse of condensation reactions in their mechanism of action.
iii.) Fermentation - it is the chemical process which involves breaking down of glucose with the action of bacterias and microbes without the presence of air(i.e. anaerobically).
iv.) Dextrorotatory - In simple terms, it refers to the ability of a compound to rotate polarised light in a clockwise manner.
v.) Laevorotatory - In simple terms, it refers to the ability of a compound to change the direction of polarised incident light to the left or in anti-clockwise direction.
Note: Lactic acid can also be prepared by fermentation of carbohydrates by the action of bacteria and other microbes. As a matter of fact, Lactic acid was predominantly produced by fermentation before the reaction of acetaldehyde was known.
Recently Updated Pages
Differentiate between homogeneous and heterogeneous class 12 chemistry JEE_Main

What is isoelectric point class 12 chemistry JEE_Main

Chlorobenzene is extremely less reactive towards a class 12 chemistry JEE_Main

In order to convert Aniline into chlorobenzene the class 12 chemistry JEE_Main

Give one chemical test to distinguish between the following class 12 chemistry JEE_Main

The coordination number of an atom in a fcc lattice class 12 chemistry JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

How to Convert a Galvanometer into an Ammeter or Voltmeter

Other Pages
NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 2 Electrochemistry - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 1 Solutions - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 3 Chemical Kinetics - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

CBSE Notes Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 1 - Solutions - 2026-27 PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 6 Haloalkanes and Haloarenes - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-In Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 7 Alcohol Phenol And Ether - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

