Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Probably a Silly Question

aga - 31-8-2014 at 12:07

Is Glacial Acetic Acid the same as Anhydrous Acetic Acid, and is that the same as Acetic Anhydride ?

hissingnoise - 31-8-2014 at 12:16

Glacial acid is anhydrous or nearly so, but the anhydride forms the acid only on hydration!


woelen - 31-8-2014 at 12:38

Acetic anhydride is formed from two molecules of acetic acid:

H3C-C(O)OH + HO(O)C-CH3 ---> H3C-C(O)-O-C(O)-CH3 + H2O

This reaction normally goes the other way around, acetic anhydride added to water gives acetic acid.

aga - 31-8-2014 at 12:38

So Acetic - Water = Glacial = Anhydrous = Anhydride + Water.

Eeek.

I'll just do Schweitzers, dissolve some cotton, giggle for a minute, then chuck the result.

The invention of a paint-on-able fabric will have to wait.

Was thinking of calling it Crayon.

aga - 31-8-2014 at 12:40

Oh !

Thanks woelen.

I'll look that up further.

Edit:

At a quick glance, a Noob's mind wonders if Glacial Acetic in Oleum would produce Acetic Anhydride.

[Edited on 31-8-2014 by aga]

aga - 31-8-2014 at 12:59

Oh2

Seems it's a "DEA List II precursor for heroin" so we'd better stop there and learn nothing new.

It's true : Ignorance really is Bliss.

Back when Nothing was known about Chemistry, it must have been a Blast, literally.