Use
Ketene is prepared by pyrolysis of acetic anhydride. Purify it by passing through a trap at -75o and collecting in a liquid-nitrogen-cooled trap. Ethylene is removed by evacuating the ethylene in an isopentane-liquid-nitrogen slush pack at -160o. Store it at room temperature in a suitable container in the dark or better at -80o, but do not store it under pressure as it may EXPLODE. It is a strong IRRITANT when inhaled and is as poisonous as phosgene. See diketene in “Heterocyclic Compounds”, Chapter 4. [Hurd Org Synth Coll Vol I 330 1941, Andreades & Carlson Org Synth Coll Vol V 679 1973.]