Difference between revisions of "Acetic acid"
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| − | '''Acetic acid''' is a weak [[acid]] whose [[chemical formula]] is | + | '''Acetic acid''' is a weak [[acid]] whose [[chemical formula]] is C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>O<sub>2</sub>. It is the principal [[flavor]] component of [[vinegar]], which contains 5-18% acetic acid by weight. |
Acetic acid is commonly produced as a waste product by certain bacteria, notably the ''Acetobacter'' genus and ''Clostridium acetobutylicum''. | Acetic acid is commonly produced as a waste product by certain bacteria, notably the ''Acetobacter'' genus and ''Clostridium acetobutylicum''. | ||
Revision as of 04:18, March 7, 2008
Acetic acid is a weak acid whose chemical formula is C2H4O2. It is the principal flavor component of vinegar, which contains 5-18% acetic acid by weight.
Acetic acid is commonly produced as a waste product by certain bacteria, notably the Acetobacter genus and Clostridium acetobutylicum.
In 1847 the German chemist Hermann Kolbe synthesised acetic acid for the first time by inorganic reagents.
Other Names
While acetic acid is offical IUPAC nomenclature, it can be called by other names:
- ethanoic acid
- acetyl hydroxide
- hydrogen acetate
- methanecarboxylic acid