Peracetic acid Peracetic acid Peracetic acid (also known as peroxyacetic acid, or PAA), is an organic compound with the formula CHCOH. This organic peroxide is a colorless liquid with a characteristic acrid odor reminiscent of acetic acid. It can be highly corrosive. Peracetic acid is a weaker acid than the parent acetic acid, with a p"K" of 8.2. Peracetic acid is produced industrially by the autoxidation of acetaldehyde: It forms upon treatment of acetic acid with hydrogen peroxide with a strong acid catalyst: As an alternative, acetyl chloride and acetic anhydride can be used to generate a solution of the acid with
Maleic acid Maleic acid Maleic acid or "cis"-butenedioic acid is an organic compound that is a dicarboxylic acid, a molecule with two carboxyl groups. Its chemical formula is HOCCH=CHCOH. Maleic acid is the "cis"-isomer of butenedioic acid, whereas fumaric acid is the "trans"-isomer. It is mainly used as a precursor to fumaric acid, and relative to its parent maleic anhydride, maleic acid has few applications. Maleic acid is a less stable molecule than fumaric acid. The difference in "heat of combustion" is 22.7 kJ/mole. The heat of combustion is -1355 kJ/mole. Maleic acid is more soluble in water than fumaric acid. The