Uses of Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives

Formic acid is used: (i) for dehydrating hides in leather processing; (ii) as a coagulating agent for rubber latex; (iii) in medicine, for the treatment of gout; (iv) as an antiseptic preservative for fruit juice. Acetic acid is used: (i) as table vinegar; (ii) for coagulating rubber latex (an alternative to formic acid's own use for the same purpose); (iii) for manufacturing cellulose acetate and polyvinyl acetate. Benzoic acid is used: (i) as a food preservative, either in its pure form or as its more water-soluble sodium salt, sodium benzoate; (ii) in medicine, as a urinary antiseptic; (iii) for manufacturing dyes. Acetyl chloride is used: (i) as an acetylating agent in organic synthesis; (ii) in the detection and quantitative estimation of -OH and -NH2 groups in organic compounds (via the mass or volume change on acetylation). Acetic anhydride is used: (i) as an acetylating agent (generally preferred over acetyl chloride, Section 12.14.4.3's Evaluate Yourself box); (ii) in preparing medicines such as aspirin and phenacetin; (iii) for manufacturing plastics such as cellulose acetate and polyvinyl acetate. Ethyl acetate is …