acetic acid (redirected from Acetic acids)

acetic acid /ace·tic ac·id/ (ah-se´tik) the two-carbon carboxylic acid, the characteristic component of vinegar; used as a solvent, menstruum, and pharmaceutic necessity. Glacial a. a. (anhydrous acetic acid) is used as a solvent, vesicant and caustic, and pharmaceutical necessity.

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a·ce·tic acid (-stk)

n.

A clear, colorless organic acid with a distinctive pungent odor, the chief acid of vinegar, also used as a solvent. Also called ethanoic acid.

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acetic acid (HC₂H₃O₂),

a clear, colorless, pungent liquid that is miscible with water, alcohol, glycerin, and ether and that constitutes 3% to 5% of vinegar. Acetic acid is produced commercially by the reaction of methanol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst, or it may be obtained from ethyl alcohol by the action of many aerobic bacteria. Various concentrations are used in the manufacture of plastics, dyes, insecticides, cellulose acetate, photographic chemicals, and pharmaceutic preparations, including vaginal jellies and antimicrobial solutions for the treatment of superficial infections of the external acoustic meatus. Also called ethanoic acid.

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acetic acid,

n a clear, colorless, pungent liquid that is miscible with water, alcohol, glycerin, and ether and that constitutes 3% to 5% of vinegar.

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acetic

pertaining to vinegar or its acid; sour.

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acetic acid

CH₃COOH, a short-chain, saturated fatty acid, the characteristic component of vinegar and one of the principal acids formed in the rumen by fermentation. It has the odor of vinegar and a sharp acid taste. A 36.5% solution of acetic acid is used topically as a caustic and rubefacient. A dilute acetic acid solution (6%) may be used as an antidote to alkali, e.g. in urea poisoning in cattle where the urea is converted to ammonia in the rumen. Glacial acetic acid is a 99.4% solution.

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acetic acid

Pharmacology A pharmaceutical necessity containing 36% C₂H₄O₂ by weight; it is bactericidal, spermatocidal, and used in vaginal douches for managing Trichomonas, Candida, Haemophilus infections