Acetic acid
Also known as ethanoic acid, Ethylic acid, Vinegar acid
Key facts
What buyers check first
- Appearance
- Clear, colorless liquid
- Melting point
- 16.6 °C
- Boiling point
- 117.9 °C
- Density
- 1.0446 g/cm³ at 25 °C
- Flash point
- 39 °C
- HS code
- 291521
- Category
- Acidulants and acidity regulators
- UN number
- UN 2789

What is Acetic acid?
Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms
Acetic acid is a simple monocarboxylic acid containing two carbons. It has a role as a protic solvent, a food acidity regulator, an antimicrobial food preservative and a Daphnia magna metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of an acetate.
Identifiers
Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy
- IUPAC name
- acetic acid
- CAS number
- 64-19-7 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 6993-75-5, 77671-22-8
- EC numbers
- 200-580-7, 616-485-2
- Molecular formula
- C2H4O2
- UNII
- Q40Q9N063P
- MDL number
- MFCD00036152, MFCD00067265
- INCI name
- ACETIC ACID
- InChIKey
- QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/C2H4O2/c1-2(3)4/h1H3,(H,3,4)
- SMILES (canonical and isomeric)
- CC(=O)O
Synonyms
- ethanoic acid
- Ethylic acid
- Vinegar acid
- Acetic acid glacial
- Glacial acetic acid
- Acetic acid, glacial
- Methanecarboxylic acid
- Acetasol
- Essigsaeure
- Acide acetique
- Aci-jel
- Azijnzuur
- Aceticum acidum
- Kyselina octova
- Acido acetico
- Octowy kwas
- HOAc
- Orlex
- ethoic acid
- Ethanoic acid monomer
- Orthoacetic acid
- Acetopyrine
- Acopyrine
- Ethanoat
- Acidum aceticum glaciale
Show all 38 synonymsShow fewer synonyms
- Acidum aceticum
- INS NO.260
- Acetic acid 0.25% in plastic container
- Azetat
- CH3-COO(-)
- Acetic acid (aqueous)
- Earcalm
- New CleanFlex
- Glacial acetic acid (pure compound)
- Glacial, Acetic Acid
- Dyspepsia fatigue
- Fungal nail repair
- hydron, acetate
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure
Physical and chemical properties
Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade
| Appearance | Clear, colorless liquidexp.Measured value |
|---|---|
| Odour | Pungentexp.Measured value |
| Taste | Burning tasteexp.Measured value |
| Melting point | 16.6 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Boiling point | 117.9 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Density | 1.0446 g/cm³ at 25 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Flash point | 39 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Autoignition temperature | 463 °Cexp.Measured value |
| Solubility | Miscible with waterexp.Measured value |
| Vapour pressure | 15.7 mm Hg at 25 °C /Extrapolated/exp.Measured value |
Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.
Computed descriptors
Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation
| Molecular weight | 60.05 g/molcalc.Computed value |
|---|---|
| Exact mass | 60.0211 Dacalc.Computed value |
| LogP (octanol/water) | 0.09calc.Computed value |
| Topological polar surface area | 37.3 Ųcalc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond donors | 1calc.Computed value |
| Hydrogen bond acceptors | 1calc.Computed value |
| Rotatable bonds | 0calc.Computed value |
| Heavy atoms | 4calc.Computed value |
| Rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Aromatic rings | 0calc.Computed value |
| Fraction sp3 carbons | 0.5calc.Computed value |
| Formal charge | 0calc.Computed value |
| Stereocentres | 0calc.Computed value |
| Lipinski rule of five | Passes (0 violations)calc.Computed value |
Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.
Safety and hazards
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet
Hazard statements
- H226Flammable liquid and vapour.
- H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Precautionary statements (21)
- P210Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
- P233Keep container tightly closed.
- P240Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
- P241Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating and lighting equipment.
- P242Use non-sparking tools.
- P243Take action to prevent static discharges.
- P260Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
- P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301 + P330 + P331If swallowed: Rinse mouth. Do not induce vomiting.
- P302 + P361 + P354If on skin: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
- P303 + P361 + P353If on skin (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower.
- P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305 + P354 + P338If in eyes: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
- P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P370 + P378In case of fire: Use appropriate media to extinguish.
- P403 + P235Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
- P405Store locked up.
- P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
- UN number
- UN 2789
- Transport hazard class
- 8
- Packing group
- II
GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.
Full safety data and first aidAcetic acid suppliers
Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings
- India, Mumbai ManufacturerUnclaimed profileAcetic AcidGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- India, Mumbai ManufacturerUnclaimed profileAcetic AcidGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- United States, WayneUnclaimed profileAcetic AcidGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- United States, TaylorUnclaimed profileAcetic acid glacialGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- France, CourbevoieUnclaimed profileAcetic AcidGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- Turkey, Istanbul (Anatolia)Unclaimed profileAcetic AcidGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- Price on request
- United StatesUnclaimed profileAcetic AcidGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- GermanyUnclaimed profileAcetic AcidGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
- India, Ahmedabad ManufacturerUnclaimed profileAcetic acid glacialGrade, purity and minimum order on requestPrice on request
Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.
Where suppliers are based
1107 suppliers in 73 countries
- India314
- United States170
- China146
- United Kingdom30
- Germany26
- Turkey24
- and 67 more countries
Send one request to many suppliers
Choose up to 10 suppliers or let us match your request. Compare quotes side by side, free.
Acetic acid price
Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers
Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.
Uses and applications
What the substance is used for, by industry and function
Used as a laboratory reagent in chemical and biochemical analysis, in field testing of lead fumes, vinyl chloride determination, uric acid in urine, aniline vapors, and separation of gases. Used in miscellaneous applications for etching compounds for engraving, deliming agent during leather tanning, solvent for organic compounds, and oil well acidizer.
Used in chemical industry ... as an acidifying and neutralizing agent. Used in canning industries as an additive or flavorant for pickles, fish, meat, candy, and glazes ... used in textile and dye industries as ...
Read more
dye catalysts, textile finishing, dye after-treatment, and production of nylon and acrylic fibers.
Constituent of photographic fixing baths, hardeners, hypotest solutions, and constituent of microfilm cements.
Industrial uses: Plating agent, Chemical reaction regulator, pH regulating agent, Processing aids not otherwise specified, Monomers, Semiconductor and photovoltaic agent, Other, Lubricating agent.
Consumer uses: Other, Solvent, pH regulating agent, Semiconductor and photovoltaic agent, Monomers, Processing aids not otherwise specified, Soil amendments (fertilizers).
Use classes: Processing Aids and Additives, Safer Chemical Classes, Food additives, Herbicides, Transformation products, Cosmetics.
Industries and functions
Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name ACETIC ACID(buffering, fragrance)
Pharmacological actions
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
- Indicators and Reagents
Roles
- Bronsted acid
- Daphnia magna metabolite
- Daphnia metabolite
- acid
- additive
- animal metabolite
- anti-inflammatory agent
- anti-ulcer drug
- antimicrobial agent
- antimicrobial food preservative
- crustacean metabolite
- donor
- eukaryotic metabolite
- food acidity regulator
- food additive
- food component
- food preservative
- metabolite
- pharmaceutical
- physiological role
- polar solvent
- protic solvent
- solvent
- vulnerary
Functional uses
- Biocide
- Chelating agent
- Cleaning agent
- Deodorizer
- Flavouring and nutrient
- Fragrance
- Processing aids not otherwise specified
- Solvent
- pH regulating agent
Cosmetic functions
- Buffering
- Fragrance
Pharmacology
Acetic Acid is a synthetic carboxylic acid with antibacterial and antifungal properties. Although its mechanism of action is not fully known, undissociated acetic acid may enhance lipid solubility allowing increased fatty acid accumulation on the cell membrane or in other cell wall structures. Acetic acid, as a weak acid, can inhibit carbohydrate metabolism resulting in subsequent death of the organism.
How it is made
The major routes for synthetic acetic acid include methanol carbonylation, acetaldehyde oxidation, butane/naphtha oxidation, and methyl acetate carbonylation. Comparatively small amounts are generated by butane liquid-phase oxidation, direct ethanol oxidation, and synthesis gas.
Obtained in the destructive distillation of wood, from acetylene and water, via acetaldehyde by oxidation with air.
Liquid- and vapor-phase oxidation of petroleum gases (with catalyst), ... oxidation of acetaldehyde, ... reaction of methanol and carbon monoxide (with catalyst, this is the most cost efficient method and has been in general use for some years), ... fermentative oxidation of ethanol.
Regulatory status
Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance
Europe
- EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)Index no: 607-002-00-6
Health and food
- EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
- Active ingredient in FDA approved drug labels
- Food additive
United States
- Safer Choice ingredient list (USA)
- TSCA inventory (USA)Status: Active in US commerce
HS code and trade data
Customs classification and reported world trade statistics
Global trade
World import and export statistics for the HS code Acetic acid is traded under.
Acids: saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, acetic acid
- China27.6%
- United States26.0%
- Malaysia12.9%
* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.
The HS code shown for Acetic acid is indicative (it was matched by name in the HS nomenclature). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Acetic acid, based on the data on this page
What is Acetic acid?
What is the CAS number of Acetic acid?
What is the molecular formula and weight of Acetic acid?
What is Acetic acid used for?
Is Acetic acid hazardous?
What is the HS code of Acetic acid?
Where can I buy Acetic acid?
Where can I buy Acetic acid in India?
What is the price of Acetic acid?
Guides for buyers
Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Acetic acid
- Article, QualityPharma grades explained: IP vs BP vs USP vs EPWhat the Indian, British, US and European pharmacopoeias are, how their monographs differ, what multi grade claims mean and why a grade alone does not make a product fit for medicines.Read
- Guide, SafetyHow to read a safety data sheet in 10 minutesA section by section method to pull the essentials out of any 16 section SDS: identity, hazards, composition, storage, PPE, properties, transport and emergency measures.Read
- Guide, Trade and logisticsShipping dangerous goods: UN numbers, classes and packing groupsHow the UN dangerous goods system works for chemicals, from the nine classes and UN numbers to packing groups, UN packaging marks, labels, documents and segregation.Read
Get quotes for Acetic acid
Embed this structure on your websiteShow code
Paste this code into your page to show the 2D structure of Acetic acid with a 3D view, its CAS number where known and a link back to this page. Free to use with the link kept.
<iframe src="https://www.compoundlist.com/embed/structure/acetic-acid-64-19-7" title="Acetic acid structure on CompoundList" width="360" height="420" style="border:1px solid #E7E2DA;border-radius:12px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe>Explore more in Acidulants and acidity regulators or HS code 291521