Acrylic Acid

Acrylic acid (IUPAC: propenoic acid) is an organic compound with the formula CH₂=CHCOOH. It is the simplest unsaturated carboxylic acid, consisting of a vinyl groupconnected directly to a carboxylic acid terminus. This colorless liquid has a characteristic acrid or tart smell. It is miscible with water, alcohols, ethers, and chloroform. More than a million tons are produced annually.

Acrylic acid and its esters readily combine with themselves (to form polyacrylic acid) or other monomers (e.g. acrylamides, acrylonitrile, vinyl compounds, styrene, and butadiene) by reacting at their double bond, forming homopolymers or copolymers, which are used in the manufacture of various plastics, coatings, adhesives, elastomers, as well as floor polishes and paints.

Acrylic acid is a compound, which is used of many industries like the diaper industry, the water treatment industry or the textiles industry.