AceticAcid,Glacial

Basic Information

Name: AceticAcid,Glacial

CAS No: Ethanolicacid [64-19-7]

Functional Categories

Acidifying agent

1. Nonproprietary Names

BP:GlacialAceticAcid JP:GlacialAceticAcid PhEur:AceticAcid,Glacial USP:GlacialAceticAcid

2. Synonyms

Acidum aceticum glaciale; E260; ethanoic acid; ethylic acid; methanecarboxylicacid;vinegaracid. SeealsoSections17and18.

3. Chemical Name & CAS Registry

Ethanolicacid [64-19-7]

4. Empirical Formula & Molecular Weight

C2H4O2 60.05

5. Structural Formula

6. Applications

Glacial and diluted acetic acid solutions are widely used as acidifyingagents inavarietyofpharmaceutical formulationsand foodpreparations.Aceticacidisusedinpharmaceuticalproductsas abuffersystemwhencombinedwithanacetatesaltsuchassodium acetate.Aceticacidisalsoclaimedtohavesomeantibacterialand antifungalproperties.

7. Description

Glacialaceticacidoccursasacrystallinemassoraclear,colorless volatilesolutionwithapungentodor

8. Pharmacopeial Specifications

SeeTableI.

9. Typical Properties

Acidity/alkalinity pH=2.4(1Maqueoussolution); pH=2.9(0.1Maqueoussolution); pH=3.4(0.01Maqueoussolution). Boilingpoint 1188C Dissociationconstant pKa=4.76 Flashpoint 398C(closedcup);578C(opencup). Meltingpoint 178C Refractiveindex nD 20=1.3718 Solubility Miscible with ethanol, ether, glycerin, water, and other fixed and volatile oils. Specific gravity 1.045

10. Stability & Storage

Acetic acid should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

11. Incompatibilities

Acetic acid reacts with alkaline substances.

12. Method of Manufacture

Acetic acid is usually made by one of three routes: acetaldehyde oxidation, involving direct air or oxygen oxidation of liquid acetaldehyde in the presence of manganese acetate, cobalt acetate, or copper acetate; liquid-phase oxidation of butane or naphtha; methanol carbonylation using a variety of techniques

13. Safety

Acetic acid is widely used in pharmaceutical applications primarily to adjust the pH of formulations and is thus generally regarded as relatively nontoxic and nonirritant. However, glacial acetic acid or solutions containing over 50% w/w acetic acid in water or organic solvents are considered corrosive and can cause damage to skin, eyes, nose, and mouth. If swallowed glacial acetic acid causes severe gastric irritation similar to that caused by hydrochloric acid.(1) Dilute acetic acid solutions containing up to 10% w/w of acetic acid have been used topically following jellyfish stings.(2) Dilute acetic acid solutions containing up to 5% w/w of acetic acid have also been applied topically to treat wounds and burns infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.(3) The lowest lethal oral dose of glacial acetic acid in humans is reported to be 1470mg/kg.(4) The lowest lethal concentration on inhalation in humans is reported to be 816ppm.(4) Humans, are, however, estimated to consume approximately 1g/day of acetic acid from the diet. LD50 (mouse, IV): 0.525g/kg(4) LD50 (rabbit, skin): 1.06g/kg LD50 (rat, oral): 3.31g/kg

14. Handling Precautions

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Acetic acid, particularly glacial acetic acid, can cause burns on contact with the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Splashes should be washed with copious quantities of water. Protective clothing, gloves, and eye protection are recom mended.

15. Regulatory Status

GRASlisted. Accepted as a food additive in Europe. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (injections, nasal, ophthalmic,and oral preparations). Included in parenteral and nonparenteral preparations licensed in the UK.

16. Related Substances

Acetic acid; artificial vinegar; dilute acetic acid. Acetic acid Comments A diluted solution of glacial acetic acid containing 30–37% w/w of acetic acid. See Section 18. Artificial vinegar Comments A solution containing 4% w/w of acetic acid. Dilute acetic acid Comments A weak solution of acetic acid which may contain between 6–10% w/w of acetic acid. See Section 18.

17. Comments

In addition to glacial acetic acid, many pharmacopeias contain monographs for diluted acetic acid solutions of various strengths. For example, the USP32–NF27 has a monograph for acetic acid, which is defined as an acetic acid solution containing 36.0–37.0% w/w of acetic acid. Similarly, the BP 2009 contains separate monographs for glacial acetic acid, acetic acid (33%), and acetic acid (6%). Acetic acid (33%) BP 2009 contains 32.5–33.5% w/w of acetic acid. Acetic acid (6%) BP 2009 contains 5.7–6.3% w/w of acetic acid. The JP XV also contains a monograph for acetic acid that specifies that it contains 30.0–32.0% w/w of acetic acid. A specification for glacial acetic acid is contained in the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC).(5) The EINECSnumberforacetic acid is 200-580-7. The PubChem Compound ID (CID) for glacial acetic acid is 176.