Ethanoic Acid - Overview, Structure, Properties & Uses, Preparation, FAQs

What is the formula of Ethanoic Acid?

The carboxylic acid family consists of two carbon acids: ethanolic acid (also known as Acetic acid) and methanolic acid (which is a one-carbon carboxylic acid). Nonetheless, its IUPAC name may also be mentioned as acetic acid through many sources, despite the fact that its correct IUPAC name is ethanoic acid. The chemical formula of Ethanoic acid or Ethanoic acid formula is CH₃COOH.Ethanoic acid is a common household substance used in kitchens that can be diluted in water to create vinegar with a concentration of 5-8%. A common lab chemical, ethanoic acid freezes in winter and forms a glacier-like appearance. For this reason, it is also sometimes called glacial acetic acid. Ethanoic acid is also known as Acetic acid.

Also check-

• NCERT Exemplar Class 11th Chemistry Solutions
• NCERT Exemplar Class 12th Chemistry Solutions
• NCERT Exemplar Solutions for All Subjects

Structural Formula of Ethanoic Acid:

Condensed ethanoic acid formula CH3COOH, which can be written as C₂H₄O₂ or CH₃CO₂H in its condensed form. Molar mass (or molecular mass) of the compound is 60,05 g / mol.

Despite its simple and elementary structure, ethanoic acid is still one of the simplest carboxylic acids after ethanoic acid. It consists of a carboxylic acid functional group (–COOH) attached to a methyl group (–CH₃). There is the possibility that it also has a hydroxyl group (–OH) tying it together with an acetyl group (–CH₃CO).

SP2 hybridization is present. In liquid and vapour form, Ethanoic acid is typically found as dimers due to hydrogen bonds that form between two molecules of the acid. As a result of this electron cloud attraction, the more electronegative oxygen atom of the carboxylic acid group forms a hydrogen bond with the lesser electronegative hydrogen atom.

Properties of Ethanoic Acid

An overview of ethanol's physical properties

1. Purified ethanol is a colourless and clear liquid with an unmistakable odour:

2. Ethanoic acid is flash pointed at 39 degrees Celsius.

3. Ethanoic acid has a density of 1.05 grams per cubic centimetre.

4. There is a boiling point of 118°C for Ethanoic acid and a melting point of 16°C for Ethanoic acid.

5. Hydrogen bonds are present in ethanol through one donor atom and two acceptor atoms.

6. Water dissolves pure ethanoic acid in a concentration of >100 mg/mL at 25°C. According to this doctrine, it will dissolve in water at all concentrations.

7. Sodium tetrachloride and sodium disulphide are both fully soluble in ethanol. Aqueous solutions in organic solvents such as ethyl ether, benzene, acetone, glycerol and ethanol can be dissolved in them.

8. When the temperature is 25 degrees Celsius, ethanol has a vapor pressure of 15.7 mmHg.

9. Ethanoic acid has a Log P of -0.17.

10. The temperature at which ethanoic acid is stored in a laboratory, as well as other storage conditions, are usually stable.

11. Assuming a temperature of 25°C, ethanol has a viscosity of 1.056 mPa-s.

12. A 25°C solution of ethanol has a surface tension of 27.10 m N/m.

13. A mol of ethanolic acid burns at 874.2 kJ / mol.

14. Considering 25°C as the vaporization temperature, Ethanoic acid has a heat of vaporisation of 23.36.

15. Ethanoic acid solution at 1.0 molar pH has a pH of 2.4.

16. Ethanoic acid has a p Ka of 4.76 at 25°C (dissociation constant).

A chemical analysis of ethanol (reactions of ethanol)

Esters are formed when carboxylic acids react with alcoholic compounds to form a new class of chemical compounds. Esterification is the chemical reaction that produces esters. Following is an example of what happens when Ethanoic acid (a carboxylic acid) reacts with Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) to form Ethyl Ethanoate (an ester):

CH₃COOH + CH₃CH₂OH → CH₃COOCH₂CH₃

(Ethanoic acid) (Ethanol) (Ethyl Ethanoate)

It can be identified easily by their characteristic fruity aroma that the newest class of chemical compounds (Esters) are made of. In the food industry, esters can be used as food flavourings, while in the perfume industry, they can produce good fragrances.

In addition, esters are commonly used in the production of soap. The molecular structure of soap is formed when esters react with bases (particularly alkalis). Saponification is the reaction that occurs in this case. The reaction is generally carried out with higher molecular weight esters. The following information can be utilized to understand the saponification reaction:

RCOOR’ + NaOH → RCOO–Na+ + R’OH

(An ester) (Sodium hydroxide) (Soap) (Alcohol)

Analogous to a weak acid, ethanoic acid reacts with bases. A salt molecule and a molecule of water are formed when the acid reacts with a base. A chemical reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium hydroxide (a base) is shown below: it produces sodium ethanoate and water when ethanoic acid reacts with sodium hydroxide:

Read more :

• NCERT notes Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 12 Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
• NCERT solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 12 Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
• NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Chemistry solutions Chapter 12 Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

CH₃COOH + NaOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O

(Ethanoic acid) (Sodium (Sodium (water) hydroxide) ethanoate)

As a result of this reaction, a salt is formed (Sodium ethanoate) that has a wide range of industrial applications including the textile industry to neutralize sulfuric acid (a cleaning agent for fibres), in the food industry as a preservative, a mild seasoning and flavouring agent, and as a buffer agent along with ethanoic acid (a buffer for maintaining the pH of a medium).

Carbonates: The reaction of ethanoic acid with carbonates or their hydrogen derivatives, called hydrogen carbonates (also referred to as bicarbonates), creates salt, along with carbon dioxide and water by-products. Following are examples of reactions between ethanol and sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate:

2CH₃COOH + Na₂CO₃ → 2CH₃COONa + CO₂ + H₂O

(Ethanoic acid) (Sodium (Sodium (carbon (water)

Carbonate) ethanoate) dioxide)

CH₃COOH + NaHCO₃ → CH₃COONa + CO₂ + H₂O

(Ethanoic acid) (Sodium (Sodium (carbon (water) bicarbonate) ethanoate) dioxide)

It has been shown that ethanoic acid forms carboxylic acid derivatives through reactions with a number of other reagents, which have been classified as a separate class of organic chemicals referred to as carboxylic acid derivatives. There are several kinds of acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, ester and amide compounds.

Chlorides of acid: The reaction between ethanoic acid and thionyl chloride (SOCl₂) leads to the formation of acetyl chloride. The following is an explanation for this reaction:

CH₃COOH + SOCl₂ → CH₃COCl +HCl + SO₂

(Ethanoic acid) (Thionyl (Acetyl (Hydrochloric (Sulphur Chloride) Chloride) Acid) Dioxide)

Acetic Anhydride is formed when Ethanoic acid reacts with an acid chloride in the presence of a base. The following is an explanation for this reaction:

CH₃COOH + CH₃COCl → (CH₃CO)₂O + HCl

(Ethanoic acid) (Acetyl (Acetic (Hydrochloric Chloride) Anhydride) Acid)

Ester: Described under the Esterification reaction, this reaction is the transformation of ester into ester.

Ethanoic acid forms dimethyl amide when it reacts with methylamine in the presence of di cyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCC). In response, the following reaction occurs in the body:

CH₃COOH + NH₂CH₃ → CH₃CONHCH₃ + H₂O

(Ethanoic acid) (Methyl (N-methyl (Water) Imine) Acetamide)

NCERT Chemistry Notes :

• NCERT notes Class 11 Chemistry
• NCERT notes Class 12 Chemistry
• NCERT Notes For All Subjects

Methods of Preparation of Ethanoic acid

Carbonylation of methanol is a common means of preparing ethanol. A metal carbonyl catalyst is used in this reaction to react methanol with carbon monoxide to form acetic acid.

Uses of Ethanoic Acid

As a solvent, it is utilized for a variety of reactions requiring protic solvents.

Synthetic polymers and vinegar are produced by using it.

As a lysing agent for blood cells, it is used in laboratories.

As an antifungal agent, it is used.

Also read -

• NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry
• NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry
• NCERT Solutions for All Subjects