Acetic acid CAS#64-19-7
Natural plant origin :Occurs naturally in many plants
High solubility :Miscible with water and multiple solvents
Low melting point :16.6°C, facilitating easy handling
Long history of use :Used for thousands of years in vinegar and industry
Product Overview: Acetic Acid (CAS 64-19-7)
Acetic Acid (AcOH), the primary constituent of vinegar, is one of the most vital organic fatty acids. It occurs naturally in various plants in both free and esterified forms. Characterized as a colorless liquid with a sharp, pungent odor, pure acetic acid—often referred to as Glacial Acetic Acid—solidifies into ice-like crystals at temperatures below 16.6°C.
This compound is a versatile weak organic acid that exhibits excellent solubility in water and various organic solvents, including ethanol and ether. With a legacy spanning from ancient brewing traditions to its concentrated synthesis in 1700, Acetic Acid remains an indispensable reagent in modern chemical synthesis, particularly in esterification reactions.
Acetic acid Chemical Properties
Melting point | 16.2 °C(lit.) |
Boiling point | 117-118 °C(lit.) |
density | 1.049 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.) |
vapor density | 2.07 (vs air) |
vapor pressure | 11.4 mm Hg ( 20 °C) |
refractive index | n20/D 1.371(lit.) |
FEMA | 2006 | ACETIC ACID |
Fp | 104 °F |
storage temp. | Store below +30°C. |
solubility | alcohol: miscible(lit.) |
form | Solution |
pka | 4.74(at 25℃) |
Specific Gravity | 1.0492 (20℃) |
color | colorless |
Odor | Strong, pungent, vinegar-like odor detectable at 0.2 to 1.0 ppm |
PH | 3.91(1 mM solution);3.39(10 mM solution);2.88(100 mM solution); |
PH Range | 2.4 (1.0M solution) |
Odor Threshold | 0.006ppm |
Odor Type | acidic |
explosive limit | 4-19.9%(V) |
Water Solubility | miscible |
λmax | λ: 260 nm Amax: 0.05 |
Merck | 14,55 |
JECFA Number | 81 |
BRN | 506007 |
Henry's Law Constant | 133, 122, 6.88, and 1.27 at pH values of 2.13, 3.52, 5.68, and 7.14, respectively (25 °C, Hakuta et al., 1977) |
Dielectric constant | 4.1(2℃) |
Exposure limits | TLV-TWA 10 ppm ~25 mg/m3) (ACGIH, OSHA, and MSHA); TLV-STEL 15 ppm (37.5 mg/m3) (ACGIH). |
Stability: | Volatile |
LogP | -0.170 |
CAS DataBase Reference | 64-19-7(CAS DataBase Reference) |
NIST Chemistry Reference | Acetic acid(64-19-7) |
EPA Substance Registry System | Acetic acid (64-19-7) |
Safety Information
Hazard Codes | C,Xi |
Risk Statements | 34-42-35-10-36/38 |
Safety Statements | 26-36/37/39-45-23-24/25 |
RIDADR | UN 1792 8/PG 2 |
WGK Germany | 3 |
RTECS | NN1650000 |
F | 1-8-10 |
Autoignition Temperature | 426 °C |
TSCA | Yes |
HazardClass | 8 |
PackingGroup | II |
HS Code | 29152100 |
Hazardous Substances Data | 64-19-7(Hazardous Substances Data) |
Toxicity | LD50 in rats (g/kg): 3.53 orally (Smyth) |
IDLA | 50 ppm |

Acetic Acid, a cornerstone bulk chemical product and one of the most vital organic acids, serves as a critical intermediate for numerous derivatives. It is primarily consumed in the production of vinyl acetate, acetic anhydride, acetate esters, and cellulose acetate.
Key end-use applications include:
Polymers & Fibers: Polyvinyl acetate is used in films and adhesives and is the raw material for vinylon synthetic fibers. Cellulose acetate produces rayon and movie film.
Solvents & Coatings: Lower alcohol acetates function as excellent solvents, widely utilized in the paint and coatings industry.
Chemical Synthesis: Essential for producing intermediates like diethyl malonate, ethyl acetoacetate, and halogenated acetic acids. It is a key reagent in oxidation reactions (e.g., producing terephthalic acid from p-xylene) and the synthesis of pharmaceuticals (aspirin) and pesticides (2,4-D).
Catalysts & Additives: Various metal acetates (manganese, lead, aluminum, zinc, cobalt salts) are widely used as catalysts and additives in textile dyeing and leather tanning. Specific examples include aluminum acetate (mordant/disinfectant) and lead acetate (pigment/reagent). Sodium and potassium acetates are standard biochemical buffers.
Food Industry: Used as an acidulant, flavor enhancer, and spice, including the rapid, cost-effective production of synthetic vinegar.


