In terms of how acetanilide is synthesized, it's most commonly made by reacting aniline with either acetyl chloride or acetic anhydride. Although both methods work equally well, the preparation from acetic anhydride tends to be preferred due to the corrosiveness and toxicity of acetyl chloride.

What is acetanilide found in?

Applications. Acetanilide is used as an inhibitor of hydrogen peroxide decomposition and is used to stabilize cellulose ester varnishes. It has also found uses in the intermediation in rubber accelerator synthesis, dyes and dye intermediate synthesis, and camphor synthesis.

How acetanilide is formed?

Acetanilide is prepared from aniline when it reacts with acetic anhydride/glacial acetic acid in the presence of zinc dust. A mixture of aniline, glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride and zinc dust is refluxed under anhydrous condition and then poured the mixture into ice cold water to get acetic anhydride precipitate.