Final answer:
Ethanoic acid, also known as acetic acid, is a colorless organic compound from the carboxylic acid class, characterized by the presence of a carboxyl functional group. It is a key component in vinegar and is used both domestically and industrially.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ethanoic acid, commonly known as acetic acid, is an organic compound belonging to the carboxylic acid family. The defining feature of carboxylic acids like ethanoic acid is the presence of the carboxyl group (-COOH), which consists of a carbonyl group (C=O) and a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to the same carbon atom. Ethanoic acid is well known as the key ingredient in vinegar. It is a colorless liquid that is responsive to the fermentation process, which converts ethanol to acetic acid in the presence of oxygen.
Acetic acid's functional group, the carboxyl group, can react with a base to form an ionic salt. This characteristic and its ability to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds give it relatively high melting and boiling points compared to non-hydrogen-bonding compounds. Acetic acid is used extensively both in household applications, such as in cooking and cleaning, and industrially in the manufacture of various chemicals like ethyl acetate.