Question

How to make peracetic acid?

Answer 1

Peracetic acid is an organic compound which is also known as peroxyacetic acid or PAA. The molecular formula of peracetic acid is $C{H_3}C{O_3}H$. It is also a weak acid. There are different ways to produce peracetic acid which we will discuss below.

Complete step-by-step answer:
We are asked to write the preparation or the making of the organic compound peracetic acid. The compound Peracetic acid can be produced in two ways, one from acetaldehyde and the other from acetic acid.

Peracetic acid consists of three oxygen atoms in its molecule. There exists an Oxygen-Oxygen bond which is why the name peracetic acid comes into place.
i) Let us first discuss the formation of peracetic acid from acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde in reaction with an Oxygen molecule gives peracetic acid. This reaction can be written as follows.
$C{H_3}CHO + {O_2} \to C{H_3}C{O_3}H$
Clearly, the above reaction is an oxidation reaction since an oxygen molecule is being added to the acetaldehyde molecule.
ii) Now, we will see the formation of peracetic acid from acetic acid. Peracetic acid is formed from the treatment of acetic acid with hydrogen peroxide. This reaction is an equilibrium reaction. We can now write the equation for this reaction as follows.
$C{H_3}COOH + {H_2}{O_2} \rightleftarrows C{H_3}C{O_3}H + {H_2}O$

Note: It is to be noted that the formation of peracetic acid from acetic acid is an equilibrium reaction and hence contains greater water content. Alternatively, acetyl chloride and acetic anhydride are used to generate a solution of the acetic acid with lesser water content.