Acetic Acid Glacial
Acetic Acid Glacial the chemical formula CH3CO2H (also known as CH3COOH). It is a colourless liquid that when undiluted is also called glacial acetic acid. Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar, apart from water, vinegar is roughly 8% acetic acid by volume, and has a distinctive sour taste and pungent smell. Besides its production as household vinegar, it is mainly produced as a precursor to polyvinylacetate and cellulose acetate.Although it is classified as a weak acid, concentrated acetic acid is corrosive, and attacks the skin. Liquid acetic acid is a hydrophilic (polar) protic solvent, similar to ethanol and water. With a moderate relative static permittivity (dielectric constant) of 6.2, it dissolves not only polar compounds such as inorganic salts and sugars, but also non-polar compounds such as oils and elements such as sulfur and iodine.
Applications
- Used in food industry as a preservative, acidity regulator, and flavoring agent in sauces, pickles, and condiments.
- Incorporated in pharmaceutical formulations as a reagent, pH adjuster, and chemical intermediate.
- Employed in cosmetic products for pH regulation and as a component in chemical peels.
- Used in industrial applications such as production of acetate esters, dyes, and solvents.
- Applied in laboratory and research as a reagent and buffer component.
Advantages
- Strong acidity and high purity make it an effective pH regulator.
- Preserves and stabilizes food and chemical products.
- Versatile, suitable for food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial applications.
- Efficient chemical intermediate for synthesis of esters, dyes, and solvents.
- Easy to handle and transport with proper safety measures.
Table
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Definition | Highly concentrated acetic acid (≥99%) used as a preservative, chemical reagent, and pH regulator. |
| Applications | Food (preservative, flavoring), pharmaceuticals (reagent, pH adjuster), cosmetics (pH regulator), industrial synthesis, laboratory use. |
| Advantages | High purity, effective pH control, preserves/stabilizes products, versatile, chemical intermediate. |
| Chemical Type | Organic acid (CH₃COOH) |
| Main Function / Use | Acidifier, preservative, pH regulator, chemical intermediate, reagent. |