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Acetic Acid

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Identification
Molecular formula
C2H4O2
CAS number
64-19-7
IUPAC name
acetic acid
State
State

At room temperature, acetic acid exists as a liquid. It has a high viscosity compared to water, contributing to its characteristic sluggish flow. Its liquid form is most recognized as the component of vinegar providing its distinctive smell and taste.

Melting point (Celsius)
16.60
Melting point (Kelvin)
289.75
Boiling point (Celsius)
118.10
Boiling point (Kelvin)
391.25
General information
Molecular weight
60.05g/mol
Molar mass
60.0520g/mol
Density
1.0490g/cm3
Appearence

Acetic acid is a clear, colorless liquid with a distinctive pungent and vinegar-like odor. It is hygroscopic and can mix well with water, ethanol, glycerol, ether, carbon tetrachloride, and several other organic solvents. Despite its simple structure, it is a fundamental building block in organic chemistry.

Comment on solubility

Solubility of Acetic Acid

Acetic acid (C2H4O2), a colorless liquid organic compound, exhibits significant solubility characteristics that are essential for its various applications. Its solubility can be described as follows:

  • Water Solubility: Acetic acid is highly soluble in water, with a solubility of approximately 1 part in 1 part of water at room temperature. This is due to its ability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.
  • Alcohols: Acetic acid is also soluble in most alcohols, including ethanol. The presence of hydroxyl groups in both acetic acid and alcohol leads to favorable interactions.
  • Solvents: It is miscible with a variety of organic solvents such as ether and benzene, making it a versatile solvent in organic chemistry.
  • Vapor Phase: While its liquid form is very soluble, acetic acid can also evaporate, contributing to its presence in vapor phases in some conditions.

It's important to note that the solubility is influenced by factors such as temperature and the presence of other solutes. In conclusion, acetic acid’s solubility in water and organic solvents makes it a key player in various chemical processes and applications.

Interesting facts

Interesting Facts About Acetic Acid

Acetic acid, commonly known as ethanoic acid, is a fascinating and versatile organic compound with a variety of applications in both industrial and domestic settings. Here are some intriguing aspects of this compound:

  • Fundamental Component: Acetic acid is the primary ingredient of vinegar, giving it its characteristic sour taste and strong aroma. This has made it an essential part of culinary traditions worldwide.
  • Chemical Symbol: Often represented as CH3COOH, acetic acid features a carboxyl functional group, which is responsible for its acidic properties.
  • Historical Importance: Acetic acid has been used for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations utilized vinegar not only for flavoring food but also for preservation and medicinal purposes.
  • Industrial Applications: In the chemical industry, acetic acid is crucial for producing synthetic fibers, plastics, and food additives. Its derivatives, such as acetic anhydride and acetate esters, are also important chemicals.
  • Biological Role: Acetic acid plays a significant part in metabolic processes, particularly in the form of acetyl-CoA, which is a key molecule that feeds into the Krebs cycle.
  • Environmental Interaction: As a naturally occurring compound, acetic acid is produced by the fermentation process of carbohydrates. This makes it a part of the ecosystem's carbon cycle.

Overall, acetic acid is more than just a cooking ingredient; it is a compound that embodies the intersection of chemistry, biology, and industry. As the renowned chemist Linus Pauling once said, "The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas," and indeed, acetic acid inspires a multitude of applications and insights in the scientific world.

Synonyms
acetic acid
ethanoic acid
64-19-7
Acetic acid glacial
Ethylic acid
Vinegar acid
Acetic acid, glacial
Glacial acetic acid
Methanecarboxylic acid
Essigsaeure
Acide acetique
Pyroligneous acid
Vinegar
Azijnzuur
Aceticum acidum
Acido acetico
Octowy kwas
Aci-jel
HOAc
ethoic acid
Kyselina octova
Orthoacetic acid
AcOH
Azijnzuur [Dutch]
Ethanoic acid monomer
Acetic
Essigsaeure [German]
Caswell No. 003
Otic Tridesilon
Octowy kwas [Polish]
Acetic acid (natural)
Acide acetique [French]
Acido acetico [Italian]
FEMA No. 2006
Kyselina octova [Czech]
MeCOOH
Acetic acid-17O2
Otic Domeboro
Acidum aceticum glaciale
Acidum aceticum
CH3-COOH
acetic acid-
CH3CO2H
UN2789
UN2790
EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 044001
NSC 132953
NSC-132953
NSC-406306
BRN 0506007
Acetic acid, diluted
INS NO.260
Acetic acid [JAN]
DTXSID5024394
MeCO2H
CHEBI:15366
AI3-02394
CH3COOH
INS-260
Q40Q9N063P
E-260
MFCD00036152
10.Methanecarboxylic acid
CHEMBL539
NSC-111201
NSC-112209
NSC-115870
NSC-127175
Acetic acid-2-13C,d4
INS No. 260
DTXCID304394
E 260
Acetic-13C2 acid (8CI,9CI)
Ethanoat
Shotgun
Acetic acid, of a concentration of more than 10 per cent, by weight, of acetic acid
C2:0
acetyl alcohol
Orlex
Vosol
WLN: QV1
ACETIC ACID (MART.)
ACETIC ACID [MART.]
Acetic acid, >=99.7%
aceticacid
FEMA Number 2006
ACETIC-13C2-2-D3 ACID, 97 ATOM % 13C, 97 ATOM % D
Acetic acid, ACS reagent, >=99.7%
ACY
HSDB 40
CCRIS 5952
methane carboxylic acid
EINECS 200-580-7
Acetic acid 0.25% in plastic container
Essigsaure
Ethylate
acetic aicd
acetic-acid
Glacial acetate
acetic cid
actic acid
UNII-Q40Q9N063P
acetic -acid
Distilled vinegar
Methanecarboxylate
Acetic acid, glacial [USP:JAN]
Acetic acid,glacial
Carboxymethyl radical
Acetic acid, p.a.
Vinegar (Salt/Mix)
HOOCCH3
Acetic acid LC/MS Grade
ACETIC ACID [II]
ACETIC ACID [MI]
Acetic acid, ACS reagent
bmse000191
bmse000817
bmse000857
Otic Domeboro (Salt/Mix)
ACETIC-1-13C-2-D3 ACID-1 H (D)
EC 200-580-7
Acetic acid (JP18/NF)
ACETIC ACID [FHFI]
Acetic Acid [for LC-MS]
Acetic Acid-13C2, D3
ACETIC ACID [VANDF]
NCIOpen2_000659
NCIOpen2_000682
Acetic acid, glacial (USP)
4-02-00-00094 (Beilstein Handbook Reference)
77671-22-8
Glacial acetic acid (JP18)
UN 2790 (Salt/Mix)
ACETIC ACID [WHO-DD]
ACETIC ACID [WHO-IP]
Acetic acid (glacial) 100%
ACETICUM ACIDUM [HPUS]
GTPL1058
Acetic Acid Glacial HPLC Grade
Acetic acid, analytical standard
Acetic acid, Glacial USP grade
Acetic acid, puriss., >=80%
MSK7505
Acetic acid, 99.8%, anhydrous
Acetic acid, AR, >=99.8%
Acetic acid, LR, >=99.5%
DTXSID001043500
Acetic acid, extra pure, 99.8%
Acetic acid, 99.5-100.0%
Acetic acid, glacial [for LC-MS]
Acetic acid, Glacial, ACS Reagent
FCA51107
HEA74570
STR00276
Acetic acid, puriss., 99-100%
Tox21_301453
Acetic acid, glacial, >=99.85%
BDBM50074329
FA 2:0
LMFA01010002
NSC132953
NSC406306
STL264240
Acetic acid, for HPLC, >=99.8%
AKOS000268789
1ST7505
ACIDUM ACETICUM [WHO-IP LATIN]
DB03166
UN 2789
Acetic acid, >=99.5%, FCC, FG
Acetic acid, natural, >=99.5%, FG
Acetic acid, ReagentPlus(R), >=99%
CAS-64-19-7
USEPA/OPP Pesticide Code: 044001
Acetic acid, USP, 99.5-100.5%
NCGC00255303-01
Acetic acid 1000 microg/mL in Methanol
Acetic acid, SAJ first grade, >=99.0%
DB-085748
A2035
Acetic acid 1000 microg/mL in Acetonitrile
Acetic acid, >=99.99% trace metals basis
Acetic acid, JIS special grade, >=99.7%
Acetic acid, purified by double-distillation
NS00002089
Acetic acid, UV HPLC spectroscopic, 99.9%
EN300-18074
Acetic acid, Vetec(TM) reagent grade, >=99%
Bifido Selective Supplement B, for microbiology
C00033
D00010
ORLEX HC COMPONENT ACETIC ACID, GLACIAL
Q47512
VOSOL HC COMPONENT ACETIC ACID, GLACIAL
Acetic acid, glacial, electronic grade, 99.7%
TRIDESILON COMPONENT ACETIC ACID, GLACIAL
A834671
ACETASOL HC COMPONENT ACETIC ACID, GLACIAL
Acetic acid, >=99.7%, SAJ super special grade
SR-01000944354
SR-01000944354-1
Glacial acetic acid, meets USP testing specifications
InChI=1/C2H4O2/c1-2(3)4/h1H3,(H,3,4
Acetic acid, >=99.7%, suitable for amino acid analysis
Acetic acid, >=99.7%, for titration in non-aqueous medium
Acetic acid, for luminescence, BioUltra, >=99.5% (GC)
Acetic acid, p.a., ACS reagent, reag. ISO, reag. Ph. Eur., 99.8%
Acetic acid, semiconductor grade MOS PURANAL(TM) (Honeywell 17926)
Glacial acetic acid, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard
Acetic acid, puriss. p.a., ACS reagent, reag. ISO, reag. Ph. Eur., >=99.8%
Glacial Acetic Acid, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
200-580-7
Acetic acid, puriss., meets analytical specification of Ph. Eur., BP, USP, FCC, 99.8-100.5%