is vinegars key ingredient ethanol
Chemical formula for vinegar. Vinegar is composed of about 5% acetic acid. This is the major chemical component of vinegar. The systematic or proper chemical name of acetic acid is ethanoic acid. Vinegar is a weak acid produced by the oxidation of alcohol (ethanol) from wines and ciders by bacteria. It has a pleasant sour taste and is used in cooking or as a condiment. It is commercially sold as white vinegar, brown vinegar, cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar. The complete structural formula of acetic acid is as follows. The condensed structural formula for acetic acid (the main component in vinegar) is CH3COOH.