peracetisk

Peracetisk is a term used in chemistry to describe phenomena related to peracetic acid or to peracetyl groups. In Swedish-language scientific literature, the word functions as an adjective comparable to the English terms peracetic or peracetyl, and can refer to processes, compounds, or contexts involving these groups.

Peracetic acid is a potent oxidizing agent and disinfectant. When spoken of in a peracetisk context, it may refer to the acid itself or to solutions containing it. Peracetic acid is commonly used for sterilization and sanitation in food processing, healthcare facilities, and water treatment. It is typically produced by catalytic reaction of acetic acid with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an acid catalyst. The substance rapidly decomposes to acetic acid and oxygen, and it must be handled with caution due to its corrosive and irritant properties.

Separately, the term peracetyl is used in organic synthesis to describe fully acetylated derivatives, especially carbohydrates. In such compounds, all free hydroxyl groups are converted to acetate esters using acetylating agents like acetic anhydride. Peracetylated sugars are often more lipophilic and less reactive toward hydrolysis, serving as useful protected intermediates during multi-step syntheses. Deprotection to reveal the free hydroxyl groups can be achieved under controlled acidic or basic conditions.

In safety and handling, peracetic acid requires appropriate protective equipment, good ventilation, and careful storage away from incompatible materials. Peracetylated compounds are generally more stable than the parent diols but should still be managed under standard laboratory safety practices. See also: peracetic acid, acetylation, protecting groups.