[limpet chicken]

What options for the synthesis of aldehydes are available, I have been looking into it of late, and was curious about the synthesis of benzaldehyde of which there are a good few, and of acetaldehyde, for making acetic anhydride.

Are there any ways to add the -CHO group directly onto benzene to produce benzaldehyde? benzaldehyde is watched or controlled for some reason or other pertaining to clandestine synthesis I believe, although what I can't remember, but benzene is quite easily available, I am looking for possible routs from alkenes to the aldehydes, and indeed, aldehyde preperation in general. Preferably those that stand some chance of success in a "ghetto" setup, I.E those not requiring catalytic hydrogenation and such tedious things.

[jdurg]

Every Friday and Saturday night I tend to produce mass quantities of acetaldehyde from ethanol.  It happens right here in me liver.    Sadly, it gets metabolized immediately into acetic acid.  I'm guessing you could probably reflux concentrated ethanol with concentrated sulfuric acid which may remove a water molecule, thus giving you acetaldehyde.  (Though that's just a guess and I'm not sure if that would work).

[movies]

Out of curiosity, how is acetaldehyde used to make acetic anhydride?  It's in the wrong oxidation state.

There are lots of ways to formylate aromatic systems.  Two of the favorites: Gatterman-Koch, Villsmaier-Haack.

[limpet chicken]

Jdurg, refluxing concentrated H2SO4 will join two molecules of ethanol together by forming a bond between the ethanol and an oxygen molecule, giving diethyl ether.

[jdurg]

Jdurg, refluxing concentrated H2SO4 will join two molecules of ethanol together by forming a bond between the ethanol and an oxygen molecule, giving diethyl ether.

Hmm...  I wonder if glacial acetic acid could be dehydrated by concentrated sulfuric acid in a reflux, or if acetone could be "cracked" using sulfuric acid?