Acetic acid

Acetic acid is a weak acid with structural formula CH3COOH. It is the principal flavor component of vinegar, which contains 5-18% acetic acid by weight.

Acetic acid is commonly produced as a waste product by certain bacteria, notably the Acetobacter genus and Clostridium acetobutylicum.

In 1847 the German chemist Hermann Kolbe synthesised acetic acid for the first time by inorganic reagents.

## Other Names[edit]

While acetic acid is official IUPAC nomenclature, it can be called by other names:

* ethanoic acid
* acetyl hydroxide
* hydrogen acetate
* methanecarboxylic acid