According to chemistry, when acetic acid is combined with a base, the type of salt known as acetate arises.
The concept of acetate has its origin in the Latin acetum , a word that refers to "vinegar" . It consists of a transparent material that is used in the graphics industry and is intended for the manufacture of photographic films.
In chemistry , acetate constitutes the salt that is formed when acetic acid is mixed with a base.
Types of acetate
There are many types of acetate, and below we will mention some of them:
Vinyl acetate is an industrial chemical liquid, with a transparent appearance and a sweet aroma that is highly flammable. This product is used to form other chemical elements, which in turn make it possible to make paints, adhesives, fabrics and paper. It can also be used as a coating to package certain foods and to modify starch. It is important to mention that continuous contact with this liquid can have consequences for people; The symptoms that occur are irritations in the throat, nose and eyes and, in some cases, spots on the skin. The greater the exposure , the more serious the complications will be.
Cellulose acetate , for its part, is a colorless and amorphous thermoplastic . It has good stability with respect to UV rays and is hygroscopic (it can absorb and exhale moisture, depending on the medium). Products that use it are brushes, glasses frames and films that are used for graphic and artistic applications. It was invented in 1865 by Paul Schützenberger and since then it has been exposed to changes and given new uses.
Regarding its use in the film and photography sector, the first film made with cellulose acetate was presented in 1934 and replaced cellulose nitrate films (standard until that time). This type of film became more popular until the creation of the one made of polyester, also known by the Kodak name "ESTAR Base." This happened in the '80s. In any case, acetate film was not completely forgotten, but was instead used in magnetic tapes, until polyester film became completely widespread.
Spectacle frames (glasses) are made from cellulose acetate.
Sodium ethanoate
Sodium acetate , which is also called sodium ethanoate, is a type of salt that is used in neutralization or desidulation processes to remove free acidity. It is a product used mainly in the textile industry when bleaching garments, especially if aniline dyes are used.
Other uses are: lightening leather, flavoring in French fries and manufacturing thermal bags. It is a very economical and easy-to-obtain product: it can be purchased at chemical product distributors or in any laboratory where they are dedicated to synthesizing components to obtain reactions such as that of acetic acid with sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium hydroxide. sodium.
Lead acetate and ferric acetate
Lead acetate is a white crystalline chemical composition that has a sweet taste. It is achieved by mixing acetic acid with litharge (lead II oxide). It is an absolutely toxic substance that can be used to make explosives, due to its ability to dissolve in water or glycerin. In any case, it has other uses, which include obtaining a wide range of hair dyes that progressively change color until completely fixed, and dyeing clothing or certain printers .
According to some studies, lead acetate can be highly polluting and could cause complications during pregnancy , even killing the fetus, which is why in recent years its use in hair dyes is being lost and women are recommended not to use it. if they are pregnant.
Finally, ferric acetate is the one that is used as a flavoring in chewing gum and as a varnish in different ornaments. According to experts, derivatives of this substance have precursors such as Acetyl-CoA and associated molecules such as, for example, Malonyl-CoA and Propionyl-CoA .
There are many other types of acetate, each intended to fulfill a different function in the productive or industrial chain.