The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Ace′to-ace′tic acid

ACE′TO-ACE′TIC ACID, a thick acid liquid, having the formula CH₂COCH₂COOH. At 212° F. it splits up into carbon dioxide and acetone. Aceto-acetic ether, or ethyl aceto-acetate, has the peculiar property of reacting either as CH₃COCH₂COOC₂H₅ or as CH₃C(OH): CHCOOC₂H₅.