Acetaldehyde can be prepared from acetyl chloride by using the following reaction:
\[
\text{CH}_3\text{COCl} + H_2O \xrightarrow{H_2SO_4} \text{CH}_3\text{CHO} + HCl
\]
In this reaction, acetyl chloride reacts with water in the presence of sulfuric acid to form acetaldehyde and hydrochloric acid.