In organic chemistry, acetyls are organic functional group denoted by the chemical formulae CH3CO. It is also represented by the symbol Ac. They are also called acyls and are accompanied by a methyl group single-bonded to carbonyl. Ethanoyl is the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) name of acetyl. Also, known as acetyl moiety, it is present in acetylcysteine, acetyl-CoA, acetaminophen, acetylcholine, acetylsalicylic acid, and acetic acid. The introduction of an acetyl group into a molecule is called acetylation.
Acetylated organic molecules exhibit increased ability to cross the selectively permeable blood–brain barrier. Acetylation helps drugs to reach brain more quickly and effectively, thus increasing the efficiency of that particular drug. Acetyl compounds have strong anti-oxidant properties that protect the skin. Compounds such as idebenone, N-acetyl-S-farnesyl-L-cysteine, ergothioniene and other pharmaceutically acceptable salts have excellent characteristics that can repair cells and prevent them from aging.
Acetyls are mainly used in industries such as oil & gas, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, paints & coatings, adhesives, furniture manufacturing and many other end-use industries such as manufacturing of cellulose acetate and modified starch. These starches find their application in food industry for the purposes of rapid digestion, fat replacer, texture improver, high shear and temperature stability, high nutritional claim and for flavor oil encapsulation. Acetyl products such as acetic anhydride are used in the healthcare industry and medicine manufacturing processes. The acetyl group in acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) enhances its effectiveness relative to the natural anti-inflammatory salicylic acid. Similarly, acetylation converts the natural painkiller morphine into the far more potent heroin (diacetylmorphine).
The global acetyls market is growing at a significant rate due to increasing consumption of adhesives in key industries, increasing demand of acetic acid in manufacturing of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and ester solvents, and increasing demand of acetyls in Asia-Pacific. Additionally, increasing PV cells installations has boosted the demand for vinyl acetate monomers. Factors such as stringent regulations for drug prescriptions and volatile raw materials prices are inhibiting the growth of the global acetyls market.
Geographically, China has been the largest country for acetyls market and is expected to continue leading the market during the coming years. The acetic acid is the largest product segment of acetyls market due to its use in manufacturing of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) production and vinyl acetate monomer. Also, it is a raw material used for the production of many downstream products such as drugs, foods, or feedstock.