acetic acid

Ball-and-stick model of the acetic acid molecule. Carbon atoms = black, hydrogen = white, oxygen = red

Also known as ethanoic acid, CH₃COOH, the simplest carboxylic acid. Acetic acid is a pungent, colorless, corrosive liquid. It is the acid found in vinegar and is often used as a reagent in making acetates and in biosynthesis. It is also used in the preparation of pharmaceuticals, and in industry. Pure ("glacial") acetic acid solidifies to ice-like crystals and is corrosive. Relative density is 1.049, melting point 16.6°C, boiling point 117.9°C.

Acetic acid is produced industrially by the liquid-phase oxidation of acetaldehyde (ethanal) at 60°C by oxygen or air under pressure in the presence of manganese (II) ethanoate (the latter preventing the formation of perethanoic acid). Another important route is the liquid-phase oxidation of butane by air at 50 atm. and 150–250°C in the presence of a metal ethanoate. On a small scale it is produced by bacterial action on alcohol, yielding vinegar.

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• ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

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