Asetaatti

Asetaatti, in Finnish, refers to the acetate ion (CH3COO−) and to its salts, formed from acetic acid. The term is used for compounds such as natriumasetaat (sodium acetate), kaliumasetaat (potassium acetate) and ammoniumasetaat (ammonium acetate). In everyday use, asetaatti denotes both the ion and its common salts.

Chemistry and properties

The acetate ion is the conjugate base of acetic acid (pKa about 4.76). Salts of acetate are typically white solids and, in solution, form weakly basic conditions. Sodium acetate often exists as the trihydrate NaC2H3O2·3H2O. In aqueous solution, acetic acid and acetate form buffering systems effective around pH 4.5–5.5, making acetate salts useful as buffering agents in biochemical and laboratory contexts.

Production and occurrence

Asetaatti compounds are typically prepared by neutralizing acetic acid with a base, such as sodium hydroxide to produce sodium acetate, or by combining acetic acid with ammonia to yield ammonium acetate. They also occur as byproducts or intermediates in various fermentation and chemical processes.

Uses

In the food industry, acetate salts are used as additives and acidity regulators (often referred to by their E numbers in regulatory contexts). In laboratories, acetate buffering systems (such as sodium acetate with acetic acid) are common for pH control in molecular biology and biochemistry. Sodium acetate is also known for applications in heat-pack technology, where a supersaturated solution crystallizes to release heat.

Safety

Asetaatti salts are generally of low to moderate toxicity; they are relatively non-volatile but should be handled with standard laboratory precautions, as concentrated solutions can irritate skin or eyes.

See also: acetic acid, sodium acetate, acetate buffer.