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Monochloroacetic acid, commonly abbreviated as MCA or MCAA, is one of the most important halogenated derivatives of acetic acid. It is a colorless solid and exists in three crystal modifications—alpha (mp 63°C), beta (mp 56.2°C), and gamma (mp 52.5°C). Commercial MCA consists of the alpha form. It is also available commercially in a water solution.
MCA is a reactive compound that can undergo various reactions to form a number of intermediates. Markets for MCA and derivatives include drilling fluids, plastic stabilizers, herbicides, surfactants and pharmaceuticals. Increasing use of MCA in oil field applications, in tin stabilizers for processing PVC resins and in surfactants has offset stalled consumption in phenoxy herbicides. The most important industrial uses of MCA are in the production of cellulose ethers (predominantly CMC), thioglycolic acid, and herbicides. MCA is also used in the manufacture of amphoteric surfactants, glycine, cyanoacetic acid, phenoxyacetic acid, and chloroacetic acid esters.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of monochloroacetic acid:
In 2007, the largest end uses for monochloroacetic acid in the United States were for production of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and thioglycolic acid. Western Europe consumed monochloroacetic acid mainly for the manufacture of carboxymethylcellulose and salts.
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