Acetic acid is a simple monocarboxylic acid with antibacterial and antifungal properties. It has a role as a protic solvent, a food acidity regulator and an antimicrobial food preservative. It is a conjugate acid of ethyl acetate.
Acetic acid appears as a clear colourless liquid with strong, pungent odour.
Industrially, acetic acid is used in the production of plastics, employed in the production of metal acetates, in the production of various chemicals and in various processes. It is widely used as a solvent for resins, paints and lacquers.