The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Acetin

ACETIN, a substance resembling fat in its constitution, obtained by acting upon glycerin with glacial acetic acid. Acetins are known as monoacetin, diacetin and triacetin, according as the acetic acid has displaced one, two or three of the hydroxyl molecules in the glycerin. The formula of monoacetin is C₃H₅(OH)₂(OC₂H₃O); of diacetin, C₃H₅(OH)(OC₃H₃O)₂; of triacetin, C₃H₅(OC₂H₃O)₃.