Main-Product

Acetic Acid is an acidic, colourless Liquid and Organic Compound with the chemical formula CH₃COOH (also written as CH₃CO₂H, C₂H₄O₂, or HC₂H₃O₂). Vinegar is at least 4% Acetic Acid by volume, making Acetic Acid the main component of Vinegar apart from Water and other Trace Elements.

Acetic Acid is produced industrially both synthetically and by Bacterial Fermentation. About 75% of Acetic Acid made for use in the Chemical Industry is made by the Carbonylation of Methanol. The Biological Route accounts for only about 10% of World Production, but it remains important for the Production of Vinegar because many Food Purity Laws require Vinegar used in Foods to be of Biological Origin. Other Processes are Methyl Formate Isomerization, Conversion of Syngas to Acetic Acid, and Gas Phase Oxidation of Ethylene and Ethanol.

Liquid