How Do You Spell CHLORACETIC ACID?

1. Chloracetic acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula C2H3ClO2. It belongs to the carboxylic acid family, characterized by the presence of a carboxyl group (-COOH). Chloracetic acid is derived from acetic acid, where one of the hydrogen atoms in the methyl group is replaced by a chlorine atom.

   Chloracetic acid is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor, soluble in water and various organic solvents. It is a strong acid, possessing acidic properties similar to acetic acid but with increased reactivity due to the chlorine atom. It is considered a hazardous substance and must be handled with caution.

   This compound finds applications in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, dyes and pigments, herbicides, and as a precursor in the synthesis of various chemicals. It is widely used in the preparation of pharmaceuticals, such as ibuprofen and diclofenac. In the field of agriculture, chloracetic acid is employed as a precursor in the synthesis of herbicides like 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), which is used to control broadleaf weeds.

   Chloracetic acid is also a versatile building block in organic synthesis, enabling the formation of diverse compounds due to its reactivity. It can participate in various chemical reactions, such as esterification, amidation, and nucleophilic substitution reactions, due to the presence of the carboxyl and chlorine groups. This compound's versatile nature and reactivity make it an important component in the chemical manufacturing industry.

2. An acetic acid in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by chlorine; according to the number of atoms so displaced the acid is called monochloracetic (1 atom), dichloracetic (2 atoms), or trichloracetic (3 atoms) acid.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for CHLORACETIC ACID

The word "chloracetic acid" is derived from the combination of two elements: "chloro-" and "acetic acid".

1. "Chloro-" is derived from the Greek word "khloros", meaning "yellowish-green" or "pale green". It indicates the presence of chlorine.

2. "Acetic acid" originates from the Latin word "acetum", which means "vinegar". It is a compound consisting of a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) attached to a methyl group (-CH3). The term "acetic acid" refers to the compound formed when acetaldehyde is oxidized.

Therefore, "chloracetic acid" indicates that it is an acid (specifically acetic acid) with the addition of a chlorine atom.

Plural form of CHLORACETIC ACID is CHLORACETIC ACIDS