Uses of Acetic Acid: Overview, Questions, Preparation

In Organic chemistry, acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid and methane carboxylic acid, is essentially a clear, colourless liquid with a strong and pungent odour. It is a colourless liquid with a distinct acidic taste. Acetic acid is a carboxylic acid, consisting of a methyl group attached to the carboxylic acid group.  Acetic acid is an organic compound and has a chemical formula CH3COOH. 

For many bacterias viz pseudomonas, enterococci, streptococci, staphylococci acetic acid works as an antiseptic. For the screening purpose of cervical cancer and the treatment of other infections, acetic acid plays a vital role. In physiotherapy, the use of diluted acetic acid is crucial. Diluted acetic acid plays a crucial role in the process of Iontophoresis in which certain medicines have to deliver through the skin. This procedure is a non-invasive process like giving an injection, but without a needle.

In preparation for commercial picklings such as mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup use of acetic acid is inevitable. It also requires many seasons to maintain the quality of food items, such as salads, etc. Besides, vinegar can react with alkaline ingredients such as baking soda. Food - safe Acetic Acid that requires household vinegar processing. 

For manufacturing several chemical compounds such as ester, acetic anhydride, vinegar, vinyl acetate monomer as well as many other polymeric materials, use of acetic acid as a chemical reagent is unavoidable. In ester production, Acetic Acid needs to complete the process into inks and coatings. The contribution of Vinyl Acetate monomer in making the photographic film is excellent. Vinyl acetate is quite famous for the production of wood glue polymers. 

The production process of synthetic fabrics and fibres use of acetic acid is required.  On bathroom and kitchen floors and sinks, scale formation is the main household issue. Diluted acetic acid is used as a cleaning agent in homes as well. It is also involved in some processes of printing paper. Acetic acid kills fungi and microbes and is superb for general disinfection, mould and mildew control. We can find its use in several conventional and green cleaning products, floor cleaners, window cleaners, surface cleaners, cleaning and cleaning sprays and roof cleaners, in the form of vinegar or as an ingredient on its own.

In Class 11 examination, this topic has a weightage of 3 Marks. 

Formula: CH3COOH.

Acetic acid works as an antiseptic.

Acetic acid is corrosive.

Q: Is this acetic acid a vinegar?

Q: Is acetic acid safe in food?

Q: Does apple cider vinegar contain acetic acid?

Q: Can humans consume acetic acid?

Q: Is acetic acid healthy for the body?