Calling all chemists! Are you looking to synthesize chemicals such as alanine, paraldehyde, or acetal? Or perhaps you are producing perfumes, resins, or basic dyes? Then acetaldehyde, a highly reactive flammable liquid with a fruity odor, is what you need! This compound can be used to produce all of these products. It is found naturally in ripe fruit, coffee, and alcohol. It is also produced by the burning of car fuels, woodstoves, and residential fireplaces. In the liver, ethanol is broken down into acetaldehyde before being broken down into smaller, safer components. You can easily come across this chemical, as it is naturally produced by plants in their normal metabolism.
**WARNING** Although very useful for synthesizing chemicals, preserving fruits and fish, a solvent for rubber, tanning, or paper industries, a flavoring agent, the denaturation of alcohol, and many other things, one must be careful when handling it. It is known to cause severe hangover symptoms if in the system too long, as it is more toxic than alcohol. It naturally breaks down in the human body, but prolonged exposure (especially in those who are deficient in the gene which breaks down the compound) can cause irritation to eyes, hands, and respiratory tract. It is also known to most likely be cancer-causing. Therefore, use extreme caution while working with acetaldehyde or consuming products known to contain acetaldehyde.
