View source for Peracetic acid

{{Chembox/Top|Peracetic acid}}
{{Chembox/Image|Peracetic-acid-3D-balls.png|Peroxyacetic acid}}
{{Chembox/SectGeneral}}
{{Chembox/IUPACName|ethaneperoxoic acid}}
{{Chembox/OtherNames|PAA<br>peroxyacetic acid<br>acetic peroxide<br>acetyl hydroperoxide<br>Proxitane®}}
{{Chembox/Formula|C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>O<sub>3</sub>}}
{{Chembox/SMILES|<nowiki>CC(=O)OO</nowiki>}}
{{Chembox/MolarMass|76.05}}
{{Chembox/Appearance|Colourless liquid}}
{{Chembox/CASNo|79-21-0}}
{{Chembox/SectProperties}}
{{Chembox/Density|1.13|g/ml|liquid}}
{{Chembox/SolubilityWater|10|19}} <!-- for numerical values in g/100g at a given temperature -->
<!-- {{Chembox/Solubility|solvent|?}} for other solvents and non-numerical values e.g. ''decomposes'' -->
{{Chembox/MeltingPt|0.1°C}} <!-- include unit, mention any decomposition -->
{{Chembox/BoilingPt|105°C}} <!-- include unit, mention any decomposition -->
{{Chembox/PKa|8.20}} <!-- omit if not an acid.  If several values, be clear -->
{{Chembox/Viscosity|3.280 [[Poise|cP]]|25}} <!-- Liquids only, omit if data unavailable. You may use [[Pascal second|Pa.s]] if you prefer -->
{{Chembox/SectHazards}} <!--  Summary only, MSDS provides more complete information -->
{{Chembox/EUClass|O, C, N}}
{{Chembox/NFPA|3|2|4|ox}}
|[[List of R-phrases|R-phrases]]
|{{R7}}, {{R10}}, {{R20/21}}, {{R22}}, {{R35}}
|-
|[[List of S-phrases|S-phrases]]
|(1/2-)-3/7-14-36/37/39-45-61
|-
{{Chembox/FlashPt|40.5°C}}
{{Chembox/RTECSNo|SD8750000}}
{{Chembox/Bottom}}

'''Peracetic acid''' ('''peroxyacetic acid''', or '''PAA'''), is a [[chemical]] in the [[organic peroxide]] family. It is a bright, colorless liquid with a characteristic acrid [[acetic acid]] type odor. It has a strong [[redox|oxidizing potential]], is highly [[corrosive]], and can explode at temperatures exceeding 110ºC.

==Production==
Peracetic acid is produced by continuously feeding [[acetic acid]] and [[hydrogen peroxide]] into an aqueous reaction medium containing a [[sulfuric acid]] [[catalyst]]. The reaction is allowed to continue for up to ten days in order to achieve high yields of product according to the following equation. <ref name=AMS>United States Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Marketing Service [http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NationalList/TAPReviews/PeraceticAcid2.pdf Peracetic acid]. ([[PDF (Adobe)|PDF]] document). URL accessed on 11 November 2006.</ref>

[[Image:Peracetic acid production.png|center|thumb|500px|Peracetic acid production]]

Peracetic acid is always sold in solution with acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide to maintain the stability of the chemical. The concentration of the acid as the active ingredient can vary, and usually depends on its application. Additional methods of preparation involve the oxidation of [[acetaldehyde]] or alternatively as an end product of the reaction of [[acetic anhydride]], hydrogen peroxide, and sulfuric acid. Another method involves the reaction of [[tetraacetylethylenediamine]] (TAED) in the presence of an [[alkaline]] hydrogen peroxide solution.<ref name=AMS/> PAA is also formed naturally in the environment through a series of [[photochemical reaction]]s involving [[formaldehyde]] and photo-oxidant [[radical (chemistry)|radical]]s.<ref name=USLib>U.S. National Library of Medicine. [http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?hsdbb.htm Hazardous Substances Data Bank]. URL accessed on 11 November 2006.</ref>

==Uses==
===Antimicrobial agent===
Peracetic acid is an ideal [[antimicrobial|antimicrobial agent]] due to its high oxidising potential. It is broadly effective against microorganisms and is not deactivated by [[catalase]] and [[peroxidase]], the enzymes which break down hydrogen peroxide. It also breaks down to food safe and environmentally friendly residues (acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide), and therefore can be used in non-rinse applications. It can be used over a wide temperature range (0-40°C), wide [[pH]] range (3.0-7.5), in [[clean-in-place]] (CIP) processes, in [[hard water]] conditions, and is not affected by protein residues.

====Mechanism of action====
Peracetic acid kills microorganisms by oxidation and subsequent disruption of their cell membrane, via the [[hydroxyl|hydroxyl radical]] (OH·). As diffusion is slower than the half-life of the radical, it will react with any oxidizable compound in its vicinity. It can damage virtually all types of macromolecules associated with a microorganism: carbohydrates, nucleic acids ([[mutation]]s), lipids ([[lipid peroxidation]]) and amino acids (e.g. conversion of [[Phe]] to m-[[Tyrosine|Tyr]] and o-[[Tyrosine|Tyr]]). This ultimately leads to cell [[lysis]] and true microbial death.

====Application====
[[US EPA]] first registered peracetic acid as an [[antimicrobial]] in 1985 for indoor use on hard surfaces. Use sites include agricultural premises, food establishments, medical facilities, and home bathrooms. Peracetic acid is also registered for use in dairy/cheese processing plants, on food processing equipment and in pasteurizers in breweries, wineries, and beverage plants.<ref name=USEPA>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. [http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/hydrogenperoxide_peroxyaceticacid_factsheet.htm Hydrogen Peroxide and Peroxyacetic Acid]. URL accessed on 11 November 2006.</ref> It is also applied for the disinfection of medical supplies, to prevent bio film formation in pulp industries, and as a water purifier and disinfectant. Peracetic acid can be used as a [[cooling tower]] water disinfect where it prevents bio film formation and effectively controls [[Legionella]] bacteria.

===Synthesis chemical===
Peracetic acid can be used as a synthesis chemical, where it's oxidizing properties are used to add an oxygen atom to double bonds, e.g. in [[ethene]] and [[propene]], to form [[epoxide]]s and [[alcohol]]s.  It can also be used in producing synthetic [[glycerol]] from [[propene]], and is used in [[nylon]] manufacturing. <ref name=KEMI>KEMI - Information on Substances. [http://www.apps.kemi.se/flodessok/floden/kemamne_eng/perattiksyra_eng.htm Peracetic Acid]. URL accessed on 11 November 2006.</ref>

===Bleaching agent===
Peracetic acid can be used as a [[bleaching agent]]. Since it emits oxygen more readily and at lower temperatures than other bleaching agents, it is gentle on the material to be bleached. Bleaching of [[wood pulp]] with peracetic acid gives [[paper]] which is totally [[chlorine]] free (TCF).

== See also ==
* [[Disinfection]]
* [[Hydroxyl]]
* [[Organic peroxide]]
* [[Peroxy acid]]

==References==
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>

[[Category:Disinfectants]]
[[Category:Peroxy acids]]
[[Category:Organic peroxides]]
[[Category:Bleaches]]

[[de:Peroxyessigsäure]]
[[fr:Acide peracétique]]
[[it:Acido peracetico]]
[[hu:Perecetsav]]
[[ja:過酢酸]]
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