acetic acid

noun

, Chemistry.

a colorless, pungent, water-miscible liquid, C 2 H 4 O 2 , the essential constituent of vinegar, produced by oxidation of acetaldehyde, bacterial action on ethyl alcohol, the reaction of methyl alcohol with carbon monoxide, and other processes: used chiefly in the manufacture of acetate fibers and in the production of numerous esters that are solvents and flavoring agents.

acetic acid

a colourless pungent liquid, miscible with water, widely used in the manufacture of acetic anhydride, vinyl acetate, plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes, etc. Formula: CH 3 COOH Systematic nameethanoic acid See also glacial acetic acid vinegar

acetic acid

A clear, colorless organic acid having a distinctive pungent odor. It is used as a solvent and in the manufacture of rubber, plastics, acetate fibers, pharmaceuticals, and photographic chemicals. Acetic acid is the chief acid of vinegar. Chemical formula: C 2 H 4 O 2 .

First recorded in 1800–10

When treated with hydrochloric or acetic acid they slowly dissolve and rhombic crystals of uric acid appear.

Crystals of calcium oxalate are insoluble in acetic acid or caustic soda.

Upon addition of acetic acid they dissolve, and rhombic plates of uric acid appear.

Let dry, apply a cover-glass, and run glacial acetic acid underneath it.

It dissolves in dilute potash, and on the addition of acetic acid is deposited in a pure state.

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