Difference between glacial acetic acid and pure acetic acid
In the chemical industry, glacial acetic acid and pure acetic acid are often mentioned, but many people do not have a deep understanding of the difference between the two. This article will analyze the difference between glacial acetic acid and pure acetic acid in detail from the aspects of definition, use, preparation method and application scenario, so as to help readers better understand the difference between the two kinds of acetic acid.
1. what is glacial acetic acid?
Glacial acetic acid is the full name of formic acid (formal acid), is a colorless, tasteless, non-toxic acid, chemical formula HCOOH. It is liquid at room temperature, hence the name "glacial acetic acid". Glacial acetic acid has important applications in industry and laboratory.
Features:
- Strong stability: glacial acetic acid at room temperature is very stable, not easy to decompose, which makes it in the laboratory is often used as a standard solution.
- Widely used: it is used for acidification, deionization, preparation of buffer solution, etc.
2. what is pure acetic acid?
The chemical name of pure acetic acid is acetic acid (acetic acid), the chemical formula is CH3COOH. It is very similar to glacial acetic acid in structure, but the molecular weight is slightly larger and the molecular structure is slightly different. Pure acetic acid is liquid at room temperature, but compared with glacial acetic acid, pure acetic acid has stronger acidity.
Features:
- Acidic: pure acetic acid acidity stronger than glacial acetic acid, pH value lower.
- Boiling point is higher: Pure acetic acid has a boiling point of about 118°C, which is higher than glacial acetic acid.
Basics of Acetic Acid vs. Ice Formic Acid
Although both are acids, there are significant differences in the use scenarios of the two in practice. Understanding these differences helps to select the appropriate type of acetic acid.
3. glacial acetic acid and pure acetic acid use
-
In the laboratory Glacial acetic acid is often used to acidify solutions, especially when preparing buffer solutions. Because of its stability, it is also commonly used as a standard acid solution in the laboratory. Pure acetic acid is often used in food preservation, fruit wine production and other scenes, because it has a stronger acidity.
-
In industrial applications Glacial acetic acid is used in industry for cleaning equipment, rinsing production lines, etc. Pure acetic acid is often used in chemical reactions under acidic conditions, such as the production of acetic acid esters.
4. preparation method
The preparation methods of glacial acetic acid and pure acetic acid are slightly different:
-
glacial acetic acid Glacial acetic acid can be produced by the reaction of urea and methanol, the specific reaction formula is: NH2CONH2 CH3CH2OH↔HCOOH CH3CH2NH2 H2O The reaction is carried out at a low temperature, usually using a catalyst.
-
pure acetic acid The preparation method of pure acetic acid is similar to that of glacial acetic acid, but the reaction conditions are different. Commonly used ethanol and ethylenediamine are prepared under the action of a catalyst. 2 C2H5OH 2 NH2CH2NH2↔2 CH3COOH 2 H2O
5. advantages and disadvantages comparison
- glacial acetic acid
- Advantages: good stability, suitable for laboratory standard acid solution preparation.
- Disadvantages: acidity is weak, the application range is limited.
- pure acetic acid
- Advantages: strong acidity and wide application range.
- Disadvantages: easy to decompose, need careful use.
6. applicable scenarios
- Glacial acetic acid application scenarios
- Preparation of buffer solution
- Acidizing experimental device
- Cleaning equipment
- Pure acetic acid application scenarios
- Fruit wine and fruit vinegar
- food preservation
- Preparation of lactate substances
Conclusion
Although glacial acetic acid and pure acetic acid belong to the same acid family, their differences in stability and acidity make them play different roles in different applications. Choosing the right type of acetic acid is very important to ensure the smooth progress of experiments or industrial production. Understanding the difference between these two kinds of acetic acid will help chemical workers to better cope with the challenges in practical work.
Get a Free Quote