If acetic acid is organic, why does it dissolve in water?

1 Answer
anor277
May 7, 2016

Acetic acid is definitely organic. In water, it reacts as does a weak mineral acid.

Explanation:

#H_3C-C(=O)OH(l) + H_2O(l) rightleftharpoons H_3C-C(=O)O^(-) + H_3O^+ #

Of course, this an equilibrium reaction; #pK_a = 4.76?#.

#10^(-4.76) = ([H_3O^+][""^(-)OAc])/([HOAc])#

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