Also known as ethanoic acid. A colorless, corrosive liquid of pungent odor and composition CH 3 COOH, having a wide variety of industrial uses as a reagent, solvent, and esterifier. A carboxylic acid, it is employed as a weak acid for etching and for soldering; in stain removers and bleaches; as a preservative; in photographic chemicals; for the manufacture of cellulose acetate and vinyl acetate; as a solvent for essential oils, resins, and gums; as a precipitant for latex; in tanning leather; and in making artificial flavors. Acetic acid is found in the juices of many fruits and in combination in the stems or woody parts of plants. It is the active principle in vinegar, giving it the characteristic sour taste, acid flavor, and pungent odor. It is made commercially by oxidation of acetaldehyde (in the presence of manganese, cobalt, or copper acetate), butane, or naphtha. Its specific gravity is 1.049, its boiling point is 244 F (118 C), and it becomes a colorless solid below 61.9 F (16.6 C). The pure 99.9% solid is known as glacial acetic acid. Standard and laundry special grades contain 99.5% acid, with water the chief impurity. Standard strengths of water solution are 28, 56, 70, 80, 85, and 90%.
Acetic anhydride, CH 3COOCOCH 3, a colorless liquid with boiling point 283 F (139.5 C), is a powerful acetylating agent and is used in making cellulose acetate. It forms acetic acid when water is added. Hydroxyacetic acid, HOCH
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