Acetic acid, commonly known as acetic acid (AcOH) because it is the main component of vinegar, is one of the most important fatty acids. In nature, it occurs in many plants as free or esters. Molecular formula CH3COOH. Vinegar has been made and used for thousands of years. Pure acetic acid is a colorless liquid with a pungent taste. Melting point 16.6℃, boiling point 117.9℃, relative density 1.049(20/4℃). Soluble in water, ethanol, glycerin, ether and carbon tetracloride; Insoluble in carbon disulfide. Anhydrous acetic acid solidifies into ice at low temperature, commonly known as glacial acetic acid. Corrosive. It is a weak organic acid, has the common of acid, and can be esterified with alcohol. Acetic acid (AcOH) is a mono-weak carboxylic acid with typical properties of carboxylic acids. It reacts with some metals, metal oxides, and hydroxides to form salts. 

Many acetate salts have important uses. Basic iron acetate [Fe(C2H3OO)6OH(OOCCH3)2] and [Fe3(C2H3OO)6(OH)2(OOCCH3)] and lead acetate are used as mordants and ferrous acetate is used in printing. Acetic acid is esterified with alcohol; Esterification reaction can also be carried out with unsaturated hydrocarbon under the action of catalyst. α -hydrogen can be replaced by halogen; With formaldehyde in the action of catalyst, into the Chemicalbook condensation of alcohol and aldehyde; When nitric acid is nitrated in acetic acid, the rate of nitrification can be increased. The reaction with benzoyl chloride yields acetyl chloride and benzoic acid. Acetic acid can produce a variety of derivatives with important uses, such as methyl acetate, ethyl ester, propyl ester, butyl ester, etc., is an excellent solvent for coatings and paint industry. Acetic anhydride interacts with cellulose to produce cellulose acetate, which can be used to make film, spray paint and various plastic products. Chloroacetic acid can prepare carboxymethyl cellulose and so on. Acetic acid and acetylene produced by vinyl acetate is an important raw material for the synthesis of drugs, dyes, fragrants, and also an important solvent for the treatment of rubber, acetic acid has an important position in industrial production and organic synthesis.