Glacial Acetic Acid (IP)

Glacial Acetic Acid (IP) (systematically named ethanoic acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH_OOH (also written as CH₃CO₂H or C₂H₄O₂). It is a colorless liquid that when undiluted is also called glacial acetic acid. Glacial Acetic Acid has a distinctive sour taste and pungent smell. Glacial Acetic Acid is mainly produced as a precursor to polyvinylacetate and cellulose acetate. Although it is classified as a weak acid, concentrated acetic acid is corrosive and attacks the skin.
Glacial Acetic Acid is one of the simplest carboxylic acids. It is an important chemical reagent and industrial chemical. In the food industry, acetic acid is used under the food additive code E260 as an acidity regulator and as a condiment. As a food additive, it is approved for usage in many countries, including Canada, the EU, USA and Australia and New Zealand.
Glacial Acetic Acid is used in analytical chemistry for the estimation of weakly alkaline substances such as organic amides. Glacial acetic acid is a much weaker base than water, so the amide behaves as a strong base in this medium.