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Peracetic acid
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Peracetic acid
Peracetic acid (also known as peroxyacetic acid, or Percidine) is an organic compound with the formula CH3CO3H. This peroxy acid is a colorless liquid with a characteristic acrid odor reminiscent of acetic acid. It can be highly corrosive.
Peracetic acid is a weaker acid than the parent acetic acid, with a pKa of 8.2.
Peracetic acid is produced industrially by the autoxidation of acetaldehyde:
Peracetic acid is conventionally prepared by combining acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide with homogeneous acid catalysts (e.g., sulfuric acid), which facilitate the reaction and achieve equilibrium between the reagents and product:
While it is feasible to create peracetic acid by combining consumer-grade vinegar (5% acetic acid) and hydrogen peroxide (3%) without an acid catalyst, the low concentration of reagents will result in a slow reaction rate at room temperature. Extrapolating from published reaction rates, the time to equilibrium is estimated to be on the order of weeks.
As an alternative, acetyl chloride and acetic anhydride can be used to generate a solution of the acid with lower water content.
Peracetic acid is also generated in situ by some laundry detergents. This is achieved by the action of bleach activators, such as tetraacetylethylenediamine and sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, upon hydrogen peroxide formed from sodium percarbonate in water. The peracetic acid is a more effective bleaching agent than hydrogen peroxide itself. PAA is also formed naturally in the environment through a series of photochemical reactions involving formaldehyde and photo-oxidant radicals.
Peracetic acid is always sold in solution as a mixture with acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide to maintain its stability. The concentration of the acid as the active ingredient can vary.
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Peracetic acid
Peracetic acid (also known as peroxyacetic acid, or Percidine) is an organic compound with the formula CH3CO3H. This peroxy acid is a colorless liquid with a characteristic acrid odor reminiscent of acetic acid. It can be highly corrosive.
Peracetic acid is a weaker acid than the parent acetic acid, with a pKa of 8.2.
Peracetic acid is produced industrially by the autoxidation of acetaldehyde:
Peracetic acid is conventionally prepared by combining acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide with homogeneous acid catalysts (e.g., sulfuric acid), which facilitate the reaction and achieve equilibrium between the reagents and product:
While it is feasible to create peracetic acid by combining consumer-grade vinegar (5% acetic acid) and hydrogen peroxide (3%) without an acid catalyst, the low concentration of reagents will result in a slow reaction rate at room temperature. Extrapolating from published reaction rates, the time to equilibrium is estimated to be on the order of weeks.
As an alternative, acetyl chloride and acetic anhydride can be used to generate a solution of the acid with lower water content.
Peracetic acid is also generated in situ by some laundry detergents. This is achieved by the action of bleach activators, such as tetraacetylethylenediamine and sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, upon hydrogen peroxide formed from sodium percarbonate in water. The peracetic acid is a more effective bleaching agent than hydrogen peroxide itself. PAA is also formed naturally in the environment through a series of photochemical reactions involving formaldehyde and photo-oxidant radicals.
Peracetic acid is always sold in solution as a mixture with acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide to maintain its stability. The concentration of the acid as the active ingredient can vary.