Chemical feedstock
Acetic acid is used in producing acetic derivatives, including esters and acetic anhydride. [3]
01
THE ESSENTIALS
Acetic Acid in 30 Seconds
A methyl group is attached to a carboxyl group. The carboxyl group can lose a proton to form acetate.
Acetic acid is a two-carbon carboxylic acid used as a reagent, solvent, and chemical feedstock. Concentrated glacial products differ substantially from dilute aqueous acetic acid. [1] [3]
A condensed structural formula keeps the functional groups visible. [1]
02
GO A LITTLE DEEPER
Understanding Acetic Acid
THE SIMPLE EXPLANATION
The functional groups
A methyl group is attached to a carboxyl group. The carboxyl group can lose a proton to form acetate. [1]
A LITTLE DEEPER
What the structure changes
“Glacial” describes a highly concentrated product form; it does not mean every analytical or regulated specification is met. Dilute vinegar is not a substitute specification for glacial laboratory material. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Technical detail Identity, dissociation & specification
The linked Sigma glacial reagent lists melting point 16.2 °C and density 1.04 g/mL at 25 °C. Physical state depends on temperature. Acetate salts and acetic esters are different materials from free acetic acid. [1] [2] [4] [5] [6]
Acid–base reference values describe equilibria under specified conditions. They are not a substitute for a validated formulation or an assay on the purchased lot.
03
MAKE THE CONNECTION
How Acetic Acid Compares
Similar names and functional groups do not mean interchangeable chemicals.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON
Acetic Acid vs Formic Acid
Aliphatic monocarboxylic acid
versusAliphatic monocarboxylic acid
Fixed comparison for this prototype. Acid selectors are disabled; additional comparisons are coming later.
| Property | Acetic Acid | Formic Acid |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C₂H₄O₂ [1] | CH₂O₂ [7] |
| Molecular weight | 60.05 g/mol [1] | 46.025 g/mol [7] |
| Carbon atoms | 2 [1] | 1 [7] |
| Carboxyl groups | 1 [1] | 1 [7] |
| Structure | CH₃–COOH [1] | H–COOH [7] |
| Chemical family | Aliphatic monocarboxylic acid [1] | Aliphatic monocarboxylic acid [7] |
| Identity focus | Concentrated liquid / glacial products [1] | Concentrated liquid / solutions [7] |
| pKa context | 4.76 (25 °C) [2] | ≈3.75 (20–25 °C references) [11] |
Chemical identities are compared here; supplier grades, concentrations, and stereochemical specifications are separate purchasing attributes. pKa values retain their stated conditions; no quantitative solubility ranking is implied.
When Might You Choose One Instead of the Other?
Choose acetic acid when the method requires an acetate or acetyl-related reagent, solvent, or feedstock. Choose formic acid for a method specifying formate chemistry. Match water content, concentration, and grade before treating either as an acid substitute. [1] [3] [7]
Specified starting material
Acetic Acid
Match CH₃–COOH and the method’s required chemical form.
Formic Acid
Match H–COOH; verify the identity before substituting a related acid.
Before choosing: match the reaction or formulation, then verify the exact form, grade, assay basis, and impurities. These contexts do not establish suitability for an industrial or regulated application.
04
FROM STRUCTURE TO APPLICATION
What Is Acetic Acid Used For?
Chemical feedstock
Acetic acid is used in producing acetic derivatives, including esters and acetic anhydride. Those products are distinct substances. [3]
Laboratory reactions
Used as a specified solvent or reagent in laboratory chemistry. Water content and impurity limits can change the procedure. [3]
Industrial processing
Used in textile and other processing applications. Concentrated industrial reagent should not be described as a food ingredient without the required specification. [3]
06
SOURCE WITH CONTEXT
Acetic Acid Suppliers
Compare specific products and package options. Listings are not ranked recommendations.
3 suppliers · 3 products · 4 package listingsLatest supplier check: October 3, 2026
Package sizes stay grouped under the supplier product. Assay methods, product forms, and regional markets remain visible. Specify glacial or aqueous form, concentration, water content, and package volume.
Scroll horizontally if needed. Supplier and package identity stay visible.
| Supplier | Product / Grade | Purity / Assay | Package Size | Public Price | Normalized Price | Documentation | Last Checked | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma-AldrichAcetic Acid | ReagentPlus® · glacialA6283-100ML | ≥99% | 100 mL | $41.40USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDSCheck supplierCOO lookup on product page (opens new tab) Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
| View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, A6283-100ML (opens new tab) | |
| ReagentPlus® · glacialA6283-500ML | ≥99% | 500 mL | $60.20USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, A6283-500ML (opens new tab) | |||
| TCIAcetic Acid | Check supplierA2035 | >99.5% (neutralization titration) | 300 mL | $22.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: TCI
| View Product: TCI, A2035 (opens new tab) | |
| FUJIFILM WakoAcetic Acid | Wako 1st Grade014-00261The 500 mL option is omitted: its sales-unit note specifies 20 × 500 mL, leaving the price basis unclear. | ≥99.0% (subtracting method) | 3 L | $52.00USD · US list price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
| View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 014-00261 (opens new tab) |
Sigma-Aldrich
Acetic Acid
ReagentPlus® · glacial
100 mL
A6283-100ML- Public price
- $41.40USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 mL
A6283-500ML- Public price
- $60.20USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDSCheck supplierCOO lookup on product page (opens new tab)
Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- A product-specific Certificate of Origin retrieval option was visible; no origin certificate was reviewed. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
TCI
Acetic Acid
Check supplier
300 mL
A2035- Public price
- $22.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: TCI
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
FUJIFILM Wako
Acetic Acid
Wako 1st Grade
The 500 mL option is omitted: its sales-unit note specifies 20 × 500 mL, leaving the price basis unclear.
3 L
014-00261- Public price
- $52.00USD · US list price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
Documentation evidence
COA = Certificate of Analysis · SDS = Safety Data Sheet · COO = Certificate of Origin.
Lookup means a retrieval option was visible, not that a lot certificate was reviewed. Check supplier means availability or the applicable document was not verified.
Prices may vary by quantity, account, contract, geography, and availability. These products have different grades, assay bases, or forms; no normalized comparison is shown. Foreign-market prices are reference listings only. No currency conversion, mass-to-volume conversion, or ranking is applied. Confirm equivalent specifications and a current quote before comparison. [4] [5] [6]
Verification limits & placement policy
Wako’s 500 mL sales-unit note is ambiguous and that package is excluded. Its linked US SDS returned 404 during review. Verify the current regional SDS.
Only the displayed identity, specification, packages, public prices and stated documentation evidence were reviewed. Current stock, lead times, shipping eligibility, contract pricing, lot certificates, and regulatory suitability are unverified.
There are no paid placements. Future paid listings will show “Sponsored” in both views; payment will not determine chemistry interpretation or imply a ranking.
07
PLAN A LARGER ORDER
Need Acetic Acid in Bulk?
Turn your requirements into a clear supplier brief.
Bulk RFQ feature — coming soon. Prototype form: submissions are not currently sent to suppliers. Use sample details to prepare an on-screen brief.
Prepare a bulk request Prototype form
08
A BUYER’S CHECKLIST
Before You Buy Acetic Acid
Selections remain only while this page is open.
09
FOR YOUR REFERENCE
Acetic Acid Technical Reference
Identity, product reference properties, and handling context.
Identification Names, formula & identifiers
- Principal CAS
- 64-19-7
- Identity focus
- Concentrated liquid / glacial products
- Formula
- C₂H₄O₂
- Molecular weight
- 60.05 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- acetic acid
- Connectivity SMILES
- CC(=O)O
- PubChem CID
- 176
Connectivity SMILES describes connectivity; it is not an independent stereochemical assignment. CAS and product-form distinctions are supported by the supplier listings. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Physical Properties Product references & conditions
Sigma’s glacial listing reports melting point 16.2 °C, water miscibility, and density 1.04 g/mL at 25 °C. These values are attached to that concentrated product. [4] [5] [6]
Hydrate, concentration, stereoisomer, and temperature can change the relevant specification. Product reference data are not a reviewed lot certificate.
Acid/Base Properties Verified values & missing data
Reference pKa: 4.76 (25 °C). [2]
Wako’s 500 mL sales-unit note is ambiguous and that package is excluded. Its linked US SDS returned 404 during review. Verify the current regional SDS.
Temperature, ionic strength, and the use of activities versus concentrations matter in quantitative work. These reference values are not buffer recipes.
Safety Product-specific SDS
Review the current SDS for the exact product.
Match chemical form, concentration, region, and product code. Use its handling, storage, incompatibility, first-aid and disposal guidance alongside the workplace risk assessment.
A current regional SDS remains to be verified; the supplier documentation field says Check supplier. This profile is not a substitute for that document.
Review supplier documentation10
COMMON QUESTIONS
Acetic Acid FAQ
What distinguishes Acetic Acid?
A methyl group is attached to a carboxyl group. The carboxyl group can lose a proton to form acetate. [1]
How does it differ from Formic Acid?
Formic acid has no methyl group and a lower aqueous pKa than acetic acid. The different carbon framework changes reaction identity as well as acid strength. [7]
What must a buyer specify?
Specify glacial or aqueous form, concentration, water content, and package volume. [4]
Are the listed products directly price-comparable?
No. The table retains differing grades, assay bases, forms, and markets. No normalized ranking or currency conversion is applied. [5]
What reference data still need checking?
Wako’s 500 mL sales-unit note is ambiguous and that package is excluded. Its linked US SDS returned 404 during review. Verify the current regional SDS. [6]
Can I request a bulk quote here?
The RFQ is a prototype that prepares an on-screen brief. Nothing is sent to suppliers. Confirm actual bulk terms directly with the supplier. [4]
11
TRACE THE INFORMATION
Sources & Editorial Notes
Identity and compiled reference values are separated from supplier-specific specifications. Structural comparisons and buyer guidance are editorial interpretation. Sources were checked October 3, 2026; supplier information can change.
- PubChem · chemical identity (opens new tab)
Official PUG REST identity record: formula, molecular weight, IUPAC name, and connectivity SMILES.
- PubChem · dissociation references (opens new tab)
Compiled reference entries; their methods and conditions matter. Citric acid’s displayed stepwise values are from the linked Sigma specification.
- PubChem · applications (opens new tab)
Compiled application references; uses of derivatives are distinguished from direct use of the acid.
- Sigma-Aldrich · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- TCI · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- FUJIFILM Wako · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- Formic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Primary comparison identity. Explanations of structural differences are editorial interpretation of verified identities.
- Propionic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Butyric Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Lactic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Formic Acid · acid–base reference (opens new tab)
The primary comparison’s pKa source; reference conditions are preserved.
- OpenStax · Citric acid cycle (opens new tab)
Succinate and fumarate in the citric acid cycle; salts/ions are distinguished from purchased free acids.
Review limits
Wako’s 500 mL sales-unit note is ambiguous and that package is excluded. Its linked US SDS returned 404 during review. Verify the current regional SDS.
This informational prototype is not a supplier, quotation service, or endorsement of a product’s fitness for an application. Buyers should verify the applicable specification, certification, and regulatory requirements for their intended use.