Substance profile
Acetic acid
Acetic acid is a clear, colorless liquid with a pungent odor.
01 · Identification
What Acetic acid is
Acetic acid is a clear, colorless liquid with a pungent odor. Its molecular formula is C2H4O2 and its molecular weight is 60.05 g/mol. It boils at 118 °C, melts at 16.6 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for Acetic acid
- glacial acetic acid
- ethanoic acid
- CH3COOH
- vinegar acid
- Acetic Acid (Aqueous)
- Acetic Acid, Glacial
- Aci-Jel
- Ethanoic Acid Monomer
- Ethylic Acid
- Glacial Acetic Acid (Pure Compound)
- Methanecarboxylic Acid
- acetic acid … %
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P280, P301, P310, P331, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Acetic acid properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 117.9 °C (244.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 117.78 °C (244 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 117.78 °C (244 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | 16.64 °C (62 °F) | HSDB | |
| 16.67 °C (62 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 16.61 °C (61.9 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.05 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 1.051 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 1.0446 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible with water | HSDB | |
| Miscible with ethanol, ethyl ether, acetone, benzene; soluble in carbon tetrachloride, carbon disulfide | HSDB | ||
| Miscible with glycerol; insoluble in carbon disulfide | HSDB | ||
| Vapor pressure | 11 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 11.4 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| 15.7 mmHg | at 25 °C, Extrapolated | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 39.44 °C (103 °F) | HSDB | |
| 40 °C (104 °F) | HSDB | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 463.89 °C (867 °F) | HSDB | |
| 516.11 °C (961 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 485 °C (905 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 4 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 5.4 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 19.9 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 16 % by volume | CAMEO | ||
| 17 % by volume | ICSC | ||
| Vapor density | 2.07 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.1 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Range: 0.21 to 1.0 ppm | HSDB | |
| Detection in air is 24.3 ppm (chemically pure) | HSDB | ||
| Odor low: 2.5 mg/cu m; Odor high: 2,500 mg/cu m. | HSDB | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 319.56 °C (607.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosive organic acid | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Acetic acid
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Corrosivity
Glacial acetic acid (100%) is highly corrosive, and its ingestion has produced penetrating lesions of the esophagus and later strictures of the esophagus and pylorus in man.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Acetic acid
Storage conditions
Store in a dry, well-ventilated place. Separate from oxidizing materials and alkaline substances.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatibilities: carbonates, hydroxides, many oxides, and phosphates.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ACETIC ACID reacts exothermically with chemical bases. Subject to oxidation (with heating) by strong oxidizing agents. Dissolution in water moderates the chemical reactivity of acetic acid, A 5% solution of acetic acid is ordinary vinegar. Acetic acid forms explosive mixtures with p-xylene and air (Shraer, B.I. 1970. Khim. Prom. 46(10):747-750.).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Acetic acid in the storage compatibility matrix →
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