What is Acetic Acid?

What is Acetic Acid and What is its Use?

Acetic acid is the smallest but most important of the carboxylic acids. It is obtained in nature by oxidation of carbohydrates. It can be obtained synthetically in the industrial sector as well as biologically. It is the acid that gives vinegar its sour taste and sharp smell. Acetic acid is one of the most important acids used in the field of pharmacy. It can be obtained by oxidation of ethyl alcohol or by reaction with methyl alcohol.

What are the areas of use of acetic acid?

Because it is a very good polar solvent, it is used as a solvent in the production of terephthalic acid, which is used in the production phase of PET plastic.

It is used as a coagulator in rubber manufacturing.

It is used in the production of synthetic fibers.

It is found in vinegar used in daily life.

It is used as an additive with code E260 in the food industry. It prevents the formation of microorganisms in foods.

It is used as a preservative in baked goods and bread.

It is used as a raw material in the production of many chemical compounds.

It is used to produce anhydride, an acetylation agent used in the production of photographic film.

Its diluted form is used in daily life to remove limescale accumulated in teapots.

It is used to clean mineral deposits on shiny surfaces and glass.

It is used as a colorant for paints.

Properties of acetic acid

Acetic acid in its pure form, _CH3COOH , is a colorless liquid. It has highly corrosive and irritating properties. When mixed with water, a volume contraction occurs; in the case of acetic acid, this is a significant decrease in volume. Acetic acid is a hygroscopic substance, meaning it can absorb water from various sources. This property of acetic acid and its ability to dissolve water in it means that when you open a bottle containing acid, the substance it contains can solidify when it comes into contact with moist air. At low temperatures, ice-like crystals form on the surface of acetic acid. This phenomenon only occurs with pure acetic acid or at the very low temperatures to which acetic essence is exposed. An important property of acetic acid is its ability to decompose. Being a carboxylic acid, it decomposes and therefore conducts electricity well. Due to the chemical structure of the substance, it has a very high boiling point.

Use of acetic acid

Acetic acid is widely used . It is a substance that everyone knows. It can be purchased in most grocery stores as white vinegar. Of course, acetic acid is available in very low concentrations as such, because in its pure form or in the so-called acetic essence, it is a corrosive substance and causes serious irritation to the skin and eyes. The use of acetic acid is widespread in the food, industrial, chemical and cosmetic industries. It is used in the production of other substances or in the regulation of their properties, especially in terms of pH. The food industry is probably the largest consumer of acetic acid. It is used in the production of:

• preserves and pickles,
• cheese and dairy products,
• sauces,
• ready-made salads.

In the food industry, acetic acid is used, among other things, for cleaning facilities. It is a cheap, effective and natural cleaning agent. A large amount of acetic acid is consumed by the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. It is used as a regulator in most cosmetics, and in some as a "balance" of odor. Although acetic acid has a very unpleasant odor, it can provide a counterbalance to sweet odors. The textile industry also uses acetic acid. In addition to dyeing fabrics, it is also used in the production of rayon and most latex and artificial fabrics. Its hygroscopic properties are used to absorb moisture from the environment when manufacturing fabrics.

Acetic acid at home

Acetic acid can be found in almost every home. Whether in the form of vinegar or as an ingredient in many chemicals or cosmetics. Spirit vinegar itself can be used for many purposes, such as cooking or cleaning. Just mix a small amount of white vinegar with warm water. Such a mixture will cope with difficult stains and will perfectly dissolve even old dirt, including rust or coffee. Acetic acid, although it has a very unpleasant odor, is used to clean smooth surfaces. It removes urine stains very well, which is useful if there are pets in the house (dogs or kittens). It can also be used to clean difficult stains, such as cleaning surfaces on kitchen hoods.

Irreplaceable acetic acid

Acetic acid is an irreplaceable substance. Although it is a by-product of many chemical processes, it is still widely used. From the specialty chemical industry to private homes, where it has been used for decades for various purposes. It is important to know its properties and application in order to use it correctly.