Properties of Acetic Acid

Acetic acid is an organic acid with the formula CH3-COOH. Its functional group is carboxylic acid group. Acetic acid is a monocarboxylic acid because it contains only one COOH group. It has a sour taste and pungent smell. It is the main component of vinegar. Vinegar is typically 3-7% solution of acetic acid in water. Vinegar is mainly used as a preservative in food and in the pickling of vegetables. The water free acetic acid is known as glacial acetic acid.

This video explains how to study the following properties of acetic acid (ethanoic acid): (a) Odour, (b) Solubility in water, (c) Effect on litmus and (d) Reaction with sodium bicarbonate.