Introduction

acetic acid. 

(ethanoic acid; vinegar acid; methanecarboxylic acid).
CAS: 64-19-7. (CH3COOH).

Glacial acetic acid is the pure compound (99.8% min), as distinguished from the usual water solutions known as acetic acid.

Uses and Application: Manufacturing of acetic anhydride, cellulose acetate, and vinyl acetate monomer; acetic esters; chloroacetic acid; production of plastics, pharmaceuticals, dyes, insecticides, photographic chemicals, etc.; food additive (acidulant); latex coagulant; oil-well acidizer; textile printing.

Derivation: (a) Liquid- and vapor-phase oxidation of petroleum gases (with catalyst), (b) oxidation of acetaldehyde, (c) reaction of methanol and carbon monoxide (with catalyst; this is the most cost-efficient method and has been in general use for some years), (d) fermentative oxidation of ethanol.

Specification

General details

Properties: Clear, colorless liquid; pungent odor. Mp 16.63C, bp 118C (765 mm Hg), 80C (202 mmHg), d 1.0492 (20/4C), wt/gal (20C) 8.64 lb, viscosity (20C) 1.22 cP, flash p 110F (43C) (OC), refr index 1.3715 (20C), autoign temp 800F (426C). Combustible. Miscible with water, alcohol, glycerol, and ether; insoluble in carbon disulfide. 

Grade: USP (glacial, 99.4 wt %, and dilute, 36–37 wt %), CP, technical (80, 99.5%), commercial (6, 28, 30, 36, 56, 60, 70, 80, and 99.5%), NF (diluted 6.0 g/100 mL). 

Safety Information

TOXIC

Hazard: Moderate fire risk. Pure acetic acid is moderately toxic by ingestion and inhalation, but dilute material is approved by FDA for food use. Strong irritant to skin and tissue. TLV: 10 ppm. 
 

General 

Synonyms: ethanoic acid, vinegar (a dilute solution of acetic acid – for safety data on vinegar, click here), glacial acetic acid
Molecular formula: C2H4O2
CAS No: 64-19-7
EC No: 200-580-7

Physical data

Melting point: 16.7 C
Boiling point: 118 C
Specific gravity: 1.05
Vapour density 2.07
Vapour pressure 11 mm Hg at 20 C
Flash point: 40 C
Explosion limits: 4% – 16%
Ignition temperature 426 C

Stability

Stable. Substances to be avoided include alcohols, aldehydes, halogen-halogen compounds, oxidizing agents, metals, alkali hydroxides, anhydrides, nonmetallic halides, permanganates, peroxides, ethanolamine. Flammable.

Toxicology

This material is strongly corrosive and causes serious burns. Lachrymator.

ORL-RAT LD50 3310 mg kg-1
UNR-MAN LDLO 308 mg kg-1
IHL-MUS LC50 5620 ppm/1h
IVN-MUS LD50 525 mg kg-1
IHL-HMN TCLO 816 ppm/3m

Irritation data

SKN-HMN 50 mg/24h/mld
SKN-RBT open/sev
EYE-RBT open/sev

Risk phrases

R10 R35.

Transport information

UN No 2789. Packing group II. Major hazard class 8.0. Subsidiary hazard class 3.0. Transport category 2.
Personal protection
Safety glasses or face mask, nitrile gloves.

Safety phrases

S23 S26 S45.