Acetic acid is also known as ethanoic acid, ethylic acid, vinegar acid, and methane carboxylic acid; it has the chemical formula ofCH3COOH (molecular weight of 60.05).

​Glacial acetic acid is the pure compound (99.8%), as distinguished from the usual water solutionsknown as acetic acid. It is a colorless liquid with a pungent, vinegar-like odor, and has an upper taste threshold of 1,000 parts per million