The specific viscosity of acetaldehyde and of acetaldehydeparaldehyde mixtures and a study of the oxidation of allyl alcohol by permanganate in an acid medium.

Acetaldehyde spontaneously undercges two reactions ; oxidation in the presence of air or oxygen, and polymerization to more complex polymers. Through former researches done in thislaboratory , end the work of Bowan and Tietzi, we know that acetaldehyde and oxygen react when they come into contact in the gaseous state to give rise to a per oxygen compound. This reaction is one where by the carbonyl group of the aldehyde is oxidized by the oxygen to a peroxy group. As a result of this reaction, acetaldehyde, when distilled in air or even when allowed to stand in contact with air, is always contaminate with small quantities of the peroxide compound. [...