Vinegar

Chemical formula for vinegar

Vinegar is composed of about 5% acetic acid. This is the major chemical component of vinegar.

The systematic or proper chemical name of acetic acid is ethanoic acid.

Vinegar is a weak acid produced by the oxidation of alcohol (ethanol) from wines and ciders by bacteria. It has a pleasant sour taste and is used in cooking or as a condiment. It is commercially sold as white vinegar, brown vinegar, cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar.

The complete structural formula of acetic acid is as follows.

The condensed structural formula for acetic acid (the main component in vinegar) is CH₃COOH.

This formula is a shorthand way of representing the complete structural formula (see above picture).

The first carbon atom is surrounded by three hydrogen atoms. The second carbon atom is surrounded by one oxygen atom and a OH group. Hence its formula is CH₃COOH

The molecular mass or molar mass of acetic acid is 60.05 g/mol

See also facts about vinegar