What is the Difference Between Acetic Acid and Acetate?

The main difference between acetic acid and acetate lies in their charge and structure. Acetic acid is a neutral organic compound, while acetate is an anion with a net negative electric charge. Here are some key differences between the two:

• Charge: Acetic acid has no net charge, whereas acetate has a negative charge.
• Structure: Acetic acid is an organic molecule, while acetate is an organic anion.
• Formation: Acetate is formed from the removal of a hydrogen atom from acetic acid.
• pH: Acetic acid molecules are stable at low pH values (around pH 5), while acetate ions are stable at high pH values (higher than pH 5.5).

Acetic acid is a weak acid and is responsible for the characteristic taste and smell of vinegar. Acetate, on the other hand, is a salt formed by the combination of acetic acid with a base, such as sodium acetate. In aqueous solutions, acetate ions can act as a base, deprotonating water and increasing the solution's pH.

Comparative Table: Acetic Acid vs Acetate

The key difference between acetic acid and acetate is that acetic acid is a neutral compound, while acetate is an anion with a net negative electric charge. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between acetic acid and acetate:

Acetic acid is an organic compound that plays a role in the manufacture of vinegar, while acetate is an anion formed from the removal of a hydrogen atom from acetic acid. At high pH values, acetic acid exists as acetate anion, releasing a proton spontaneously.