12.15 Uses of carboxylic acids and its derivatives

Formic acid It is used i) for the dehydration of hides. ii) as a coagulating agent for rubber latex iii) in medicine for treatment of gout iv) as an antiseptic in the preservation of fruit juice. Acetic acid It is used i) as table vinegar ii) for coagulating rubber latex iii) for manufacture of cellulose acetate and poly vinylacetate Benzoic acid It is used i) as food preservative either in the pure form or in the form of sodium benzoate ii) in medicine as an urinary antiseptic iii) for manufacture of dyes Acetyl Chloride It is used i) as acetylating agent in organic synthesis ii) in detection and estimation of – OH, - NH groups in organic compounds Acetic anhydride It is used i) acetylating agent ii) in the preparation of medicine like asprin and phenacetin iii) for the manufacture plastics like cellulose acetate and poly vinyl acetate. Ethyl acetate is used i) in the preparation of artificial fruit essences.

ii) as a solvent for lacquers. iii) in the preparation of organic synthetic reagent like ethyl acetoacetate.