Acetate Definition in Chemistry

Important for metabolism, yet may cause a hangover

Rendering of acetate in 3D.

Benjah-bmm27 / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

"Acetate" refers to the acetate anion and the acetate ester functional group. The acetate anion is formed from acetic acid and has a chemical formula of CH3COO-. The acetate anion is commonly abbreviated as OAc in formulas. For example, sodium acetate is abbreviated NaOAc and acetic acid is HOAc. The acetate ester group connects a functional group to the last oxygen atom of the acetate anion. The general formula for the acetate ester group is CH3COO-R.

Key Takeaways: Acetate

  • The word "acetate" refers to the acetate anion, the acetate functional group, and to compounds that include the acetate anion.
  • The chemical formula for the acetate anion is C2H3O2-.
  • The simplest compound made using acetate is hydrogen acetate or ethanoate, which is most often called acetic acid.
  • Acetate in the form of acetyl CoA is used in metabolism to yield chemical energy. However, too much acetate in the bloodstream can lead to adenosine accumulation, which causes symptoms of a hangover.

Acetic Acid and Acetates

When the negatively-charged acetate anion combines with a positively charged cation, the resulting compound is called an acetate. The simplest of these compounds is hydrogen acetate, which is commonly called acetic acid. The systematic name of acetic acid is ethanoate, but the name acetic acid is preferred by the IUPAC. Other important acetates are acetate of lead (or sugar of lead), chromium(II) acetate, and aluminum acetate. Most transition metal acetates are colorless salts that are highly soluble in water. At one time, lead acetate was used as a (toxic) sweetener. Aluminum acetate is used in dyeing. Potassium acetate is a diuretic.

Most acetic acid produced by the chemical industry is used to prepare acetates. Acetates, in turn, are primarily used to make polymers. Nearly half of acetic acid production goes to preparing vinyl acetate, which is used to make polyvinyl alcohol, an ingredient in paint. Another fraction of acetic acid is used to make cellulose acetate, which is used to make fibers for the textile industry and acetate discs in the audio industry. In biology, acetates occur naturally for use in biosynthesis of more complex organic molecules. For example, bonding two carbons from acetate to a fatty acid produces a more complex hydrocarbon.

Acetate Salts and Acetate Esters

Because acetate salts are ionic, they tend to dissolve well in water. One of the easiest forms of acetate to prepare at home is sodium acetate, which is also known as "hot ice." Sodium acetate is prepared by mixing vinegar (dilute acetic acid) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and evaporating off the excess water.

While acetate salts are typically white, soluble powders, acetate esters are typically available as lipophilic, often volatile liquids. Acetate esters have the general chemical formula CH3CO2R, in which R is an organyl group. Acetate esters are typically inexpensive, display low toxicity, and often have a sweet odor.

Acetate Biochemistry

Methanogen archaea produce methane via a disproportionation reaction of fermentation:

CH3COO- + H+ → CH4 + CO2

In this reaction, a single electron is transferred from the carbonyl of the carboxylic group to the methyl group, releasing methane gas and carbon dioxide gas.

In animals, acetate is most commonly used in the form acetyl coenzyme A. Acetyl coenzyme A or acetyl CoA is important for lipid, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism. It delivers the acetyl group to the citric acid cycle for oxidation, which leads to energy production.

Acetate is believe to cause or at least contribute to hangovers from alcohol consumption. When alcohol is metabolized in mammals, increased levels of serum acetate lead to adenosine accumulation in the brain and other tissues. In rats, caffeine has been shown to reduce nociceptive behavior in response to adenosine. So, while drinking coffee after consuming alcohol may not increase sobriety of a person (or rat), it may reduce the likelihood of getting a hangover.

Resources and Further Reading

  • Cheung, Hosea, et al. “Acetic Acid.” Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 15 June 2000.
  • Holmes, Bob. “Is Coffee the Real Cure for a Hangover?New Scientist, 11 Jan. 2011.
  • March, Jerry. Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure. 4th ed., Wiley, 1992.
  • Nelson, David Lee, and Michael M Cox. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. 3rd ed., Worth, 2000.
  • Vogels, G.D., et al. “Biochemistry of Methane Production.” Biology of Anaerobic Microorganisms, edited by Alexander J.B. Zehnder, 99th ed., Wiley, 1988, pp. 707-770.
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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Acetate Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Sep. 7, 2021, thoughtco.com/definition-of-acetate-604737. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, September 7). Acetate Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-acetate-604737 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Acetate Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-acetate-604737 (accessed March 19, 2024).