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Ethanoic Acid.

What is Ethanoic Acid?

When ethanol reacts with oxygen it forms a weak acid
called ethanoic acid.
This can happen naturally in the presence of bacteria, and it
is the ethanoic acid that can make beer or wine taste sour.

ethanol   +  oxygen      ethanoic acid +  water.
C₂H₅OH_(aq)  + O_2(g)      CH₃CO₂H_(aq)   +   H₂O_(l)

Ethanoic acid is a weak acid.
It is found in vinegar ("vinegar" is Old French for "sour wine").
Vinegar is used as a food flavouring and preservative.

Ethanoic acid is used to make a polymer called acetate rayon.
Acetate rayon fibres can be woven to make clothing and fabrics.

What is the Structure of Ethanoic Acid?

The structure of ethanoic acid is shown in the picture below.

Ethanoic acid will react
with alcohols, alkalis, carbonates and metals.

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