Record Information
Version1.0
Creation Date2009-07-30 17:56:54 UTC
Update Date2026-03-26 20:03:30 UTC
Accession NumberCHEM002454
Identification
Common NameAcetic acid
ClassSmall Molecule
DescriptionAcetic acid is one of the simplest carboxylic acids. It is an important chemical reagent and industrial chemical that is used in the production of plastic soft drink bottles, photographic film; and polyvinyl acetate for wood glue, as well as many synthetic fibres and fabrics. Acetic acid can be very corrosive, depending on the concentration. It is one ingredient of cigarette. In households diluted acetic acid is often used as a cleaning agent. In the food industry acetic acid is used as an acidity regulator. The acetyl group, derived from acetic acid, is fundamental to the biochemistry of virtually all forms of life. When bound to coenzyme A it is central to the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. However, the concentration of free acetic acid in cells is kept at a low level to avoid disrupting the control of the pH of the cell contents. Acetic acid is produced and excreted by certain bacteria, notably the Acetobacter genus and Clostridium acetobutylicum. These bacteria are found universally in foodstuffs, water, and soil, and acetic acid is produced naturally as fruits and some other foods spoil. Acetic acid is also a component of the vaginal lubrication of humans and other primates, where it appears to serve as a mild antibacterial agent.
Contaminant Sources
  • Clean Air Act Chemicals
  • Cosmetic Chemicals
  • EAFUS Chemicals
  • FooDB Chemicals
  • HMDB Contaminants - Feces
  • HMDB Contaminants - Urine
  • HPV EPA Chemicals
  • OECD HPV Chemicals
  • STOFF IDENT Compounds
  • T3DB toxins
  • Tobacco Smoke Compounds
  • ToxCast & Tox21 Chemicals
Contaminant Type
  • Anti-Bacterial Agent
  • Bacterial Toxin
  • Cigarette Toxin
  • Cosmetic Toxin
  • Drug
  • Food Toxin
  • Fragrance Toxin
  • Household Toxin
  • Indicator and Reagent
  • Industrial/Workplace Toxin
  • Lachrymator
  • Metabolite
  • Natural Compound
  • Organic Compound
  • Pesticide
Chemical Structure
Thumb
Synonyms
ValueSource
ACETATE ionChEBI
Acetic acid, ion(1-)ChEBI
AzetatChEBI
CH3-COO(-)ChEBI
EthanoatChEBI
EthanoateChEBI
MeCO2 anionChEBI
ACETic acid ionGenerator
Acetate, ion(1-)Generator
Ethanoic acidGenerator
Acetic acidGenerator
AcetateGenerator
VoSoLMeSH
Chemical FormulaC2H3O2
Average Molecular Mass59.044 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass59.013 g/mol
CAS Registry Number64-19-7
IUPAC Nameacetate
Traditional Nameacetate
SMILESCC([O-])=O
InChI IdentifierInChI=1S/C2H4O2/c1-2(3)4/h1H3,(H,3,4)/p-1
InChI KeyQTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-M
Chemical Taxonomy
Description belongs to the class of organic compounds known as carboxylic acids. Carboxylic acids are compounds containing a carboxylic acid group with the formula -C(=O)OH.
KingdomOrganic compounds
Super ClassOrganic acids and derivatives
ClassCarboxylic acids and derivatives
Sub ClassCarboxylic acids
Direct ParentCarboxylic acids
Alternative Parents
Substituents
  • Monocarboxylic acid or derivatives
  • Carboxylic acid
  • Organic oxygen compound
  • Organic oxide
  • Hydrocarbon derivative
  • Organooxygen compound
  • Carbonyl group
  • Organic anion
  • Aliphatic acyclic compound
Molecular FrameworkAliphatic acyclic compounds
External Descriptors
Biological Properties
StatusDetected and Not Quantified
OriginEndogenous
Cellular Locations
  • Cytoplasm
  • Extracellular
  • Golgi apparatus
  • Mitochondria
Biofluid LocationsNot Available
Tissue Locations
  • Kidney
  • Liver
  • Most Tissues
Pathways
NameSMPDB LinkKEGG Link
Amino Sugar MetabolismSMP00045 map00520
Ethanol DegradationSMP00449 Not Available
Fatty Acid BiosynthesisSMP00456 map00061
Pyruvate MetabolismSMP00060 map00620
Applications
Biological Roles
Chemical Roles
Physical Properties
StateLiquid
AppearanceColorless liquid.
Experimental Properties
PropertyValue
Melting Point16.6°C
Boiling Point117.9°C
Solubility1E+006 mg/L (at 25°C)
Predicted Properties
PropertyValueSource
Water Solubility490 g/LALOGPS
logP-0.29ALOGPS
logP-0.22ChemAxon
logS0.8ALOGPS
pKa (Strongest Acidic)4.54ChemAxon
Physiological Charge-1ChemAxon
Hydrogen Acceptor Count2ChemAxon
Hydrogen Donor Count0ChemAxon
Polar Surface Area40.13 ŲChemAxon
Rotatable Bond Count0ChemAxon
Refractivity23.48 m³·mol⁻¹ChemAxon
Polarizability4.96 ųChemAxon
Number of Rings0ChemAxon
Bioavailability1ChemAxon
Rule of FiveYesChemAxon
Ghose FilterNoChemAxon
Veber's RuleNoChemAxon
MDDR-like RuleNoChemAxon
Spectra
Spectra
Spectrum TypeDescriptionSplash KeyView
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positivesplash10-03di-9000000000-f5685ebb25f1bef6afeaSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positivesplash10-03di-9000000000-f6251d3582ace30e2babSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positivesplash10-01ot-9000000000-7848c7adcde448d800acSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negativesplash10-0a4i-9000000000-0828d9d6bd37d8a55106Spectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negativesplash10-0a4i-9000000000-97ec887bce4752e1c84dSpectrum
Predicted LC-MS/MSPredicted LC-MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negativesplash10-0a4i-9000000000-22e58030e49b08ff4d50Spectrum
Toxicity Profile
Route of ExposureOral (17) ; ihalation (17) ; ingestion (17)
Mechanism of ToxicityAcetic acid is toxic due to its corrosive nature. In addition to causing skin burns and irritation to the mucous membranes, ingestion can result in severe damage to the digestive system and a potentially lethal change in the acidity of the blood. (16)
MetabolismAcetic acid is is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and through the lungs. It is completely oxidized by the tissues, with metabolism involving the formation of ketone bodies. The products of acetic acid are used in the formation of glycogen, as intermediates of carbohydrates and fatty acid synthesis, and in cholesterol synthesis. In addition, acetic acid participates in the acetylation of amines and formation of proteins of plasma, liver, kidney, gut mucosa, muscle, and brain. (17)
Toxicity ValuesLD50: 3.53 g/kg (Oral, Rat) (20) LD50: 525 mg/kg (Intravenous, Mouse) (19) LD50: 1060 mg/kg (Dermal, Rabbit) (19) LC50: 5620 ppm over 1 hour (Inhalation, Mouse) (2)
Lethal DoseNot Available
Carcinogenicity (IARC Classification)No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Uses/SourcesAcetic acid gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. It is an important chemical reagent and industrial chemical, used in the plastic, pharmaceutical, dye, insecticide, textile, rubber, and photographic industries. Water-free acetic acid (glacial acetic acid) is used in the production of certain fragrances. (16) Used to treat infections in the ear canal.
Minimum Risk LevelNot Available
Health EffectsConcentrated acetic acid is corrosive and can cause skin burns, permanent eye damage, and irritation to the mucous membranes. Ingestion can cause severe damage to the digestive system and a potentially lethal change in the acidity of the blood. (16)
SymptomsAcetic acid is corrosive and can cause skin burns and irritation to the mucous membranes. These burns or blisters may not appear until hours after exposure. (16)
TreatmentIn cases of skin or eye exposure, the area should be flushed with water and burns covered with dry, sterile dressings after decontamination. If ingested, rinse mouth and administer 5 mL/kg up to 200 mL of water for dilution. Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency and assist respiration if necessary. (1)
Concentrations
Not Available
DrugBank IDDBMET01513
HMDB IDHMDB0159743
FooDB IDFDB030644
Phenol Explorer IDNot Available
KNApSAcK IDNot Available
BiGG IDNot Available
BioCyc IDACET
METLIN IDNot Available
PDB IDNot Available
Wikipedia LinkAcetate
Chemspider IDNot Available
ChEBI ID30089
PubChem Compound ID175
Kegg Compound IDNot Available
YMDB IDYMDB01010
ECMDB IDNot Available
References
Synthesis Reference

Earl M. Chamberlin, Warren K. Russ, Jr., George G. Hazen, “Process for preparing [1-oxo-2-cyclopentyl (or 2-isopropyl)-2-methyl-6,7-dichloro-5-indanyloxy] acetic acid.” U.S. Patent US3950408, issued April, 1928.

MSDSLink
General References
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=17190852
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=22211106
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=22371380