Monochloroacetic acid is produced in a continuous way. The first stage is the chlorination of acetic acid. The second stage of the process is hydrogenation in which most of the dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) is removed. The third step that determines the highest quality of the product is the crystallisation process in which MCAA HP (500 ppm DCAA) produces an ultra-pure product with a DCAA content of less than 90 ppm.
MCAA is one of the most important intermediates in the chemical industry and is widely used in a large number of organic synthesis processes. This is due to its high reactivity. Both chlorine in the α position and carboxyl group exhibit reactivity in a number of organic reactions, easily forming esters and amides and undergoing many possible substitutions of the chlorine atom.
Due to its properties, mainly C-Cl bond activity, monochloroacetic acid is used in many industries, among which are the production of agrochemicals, plant protection agents, fertilizers, plastics, detergents, paints and coatings, cosmetics and personal hygiene, pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, food and mining industries. The highest consumption of MCAA is the production of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC).
Monochloroacetic acid is used in the cosmetic industry to produce surfactants (betaine), which include hair shampoos and thioglycolic acid (hair styling preparations).
In the pharmaceutical industry it is used for the production of ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, caffeine, vitamins (e.g., vitamin B6), glycine, and malonates. Monochloroacetic acid chloride, which is a monochloroacetic acid derivative, is a precursor of adrenaline (epinephrine).
It is an intermediate for the production of plant protection products such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), thiophosphoric acid esters (e.g., dimethoate), chloroacetyl chloride (CAC), trichloroacetyl chloride (TCAC), 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), 2-methyl-4-phenoxyacetic acid (MCPA), and phosphonates (e.g., glyphosate).
In addition, MCAA is used to produce a wide range of other useful chemicals, such as coumarin, malonic acid, mercaptoacetic acid, aminoacetic acid, cyanoacetic acid, and chloroacetamide. It constitutes an intermediate in the synthesis of indigo dyes and a stabiliser in polyvinyl chloride processing.
