1 Agricultural UsesHerbicide, Fungicide, Microbiocide; Metabolite,Veterinary Medicine: A herbicide used to control grasses, woody plantsand broad-leaf weeds on hard surface and in areas wherecrops are not normally grown; as a veterinary medicine.

2 DefinitionChEBI: A simple monocarboxylic acid containing two carbons.

3 General DescriptionA colorless aqueous solution. Smells like vinegar. Density 8.8 lb / gal. Corrosive to metals and tissue.

4 PolymerizationA drum contaminated with acetic acid was filled with acetaldehyde. The ensuing exothermic polymerization reaction caused a mild eruption lasting for several hours.

5 Potential ExposureAcetic acid is widely used as a chemical feedstock for the production of vinyl plastics, acetic anhydride, acetone, acetanilide, acetyl chloride, ethyl alcohol, ketene, methyl ethyl ketone, acetate esters, and cellulose acetates. It is also used alone in the dye, rubber, pharmaceutical, food preserving, textile, and laundry industries. It is utilized, too; in the manufacture of Paris green, white lead, tint rinse, photographic chemicals, stain removers, insecticides, and plastics.

6 Purification MethodsUsual impurities are traces of acetaldehyde and other oxidisable substances and water. (Glacial acetic acid is very hygroscopic. The presence of 0.1% water lowers its m by 0.2o.) Purify it by adding some acetic anhydride to react with water present, heat it for 1hour to just below boiling in the presence of 2g CrO3 per 100mL and then fractionally distil it [Orton & Bradfield J Chem Soc 960 1924, Orton & Bradfield J Chem Soc 983 1927]. Instead of CrO3, use 2-5% (w/w) of KMnO4, and boil under reflux for 2-6hours. Traces of water have been removed by refluxing with tetraacetyl diborate (prepared by warming 1 part of boric acid with 5 parts (w/w) of acetic anhydride at 60o, cooling, and filtering off, followed by distillation [Eichelberger & La Mer J Am Chem Soc 55 3633 1933]. Refluxing with acetic anhydride in the presence of 0.2g % of 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid as catalyst has also been used [Orton & Bradfield J Chem Soc 983 1927]. Other suitable drying agents include anhydrous CuSO4 and chromium triacetate: P2O5 converts some acetic acid to the anhydride. Azeotropic removal of water by distillation with thiophene-free *benzene or with butyl acetate has been used [Birdwhistell & Griswold J Am Chem Soc 77 873 1955]. An alternative purification uses fractional freezing. [Beilstein 2 H 96, 2 IV 94.] Rapid procedure: Add 5% acetic anhydride, and 2% of CrO3. Reflux and fractionally distil.

7 ShippingUN2789 Acetic acid, glacial or Acetic acid solution, with .80 % acid, by mass, hazard class: 8; labels: 8-Corrosive material, 3-flammable liquid. UN2790 acetic acid solution, not ,50% but not .80% acid, by mass, hazard class: 8; labels: 8-Corrosive material; acetic acid solution, with .10% and ,50%, by mass, hazard class: 8; labels: 8-Corrosive material

8 UsageAcetic acid occurs in vinegar. It is producedin the destructive distillation of wood. Itfinds extensive application in the chemicalindustry. It is used in the manufacture ofcellulose acetate, acetate rayon, and variousacetate and acetyl compounds; as a solventfor gums, oils, and resins; as a food preservative in printing and dyeing; and in organicsynthesis.

9 Waste DisposalDissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regulations must be observed