Chemical Properties of Ethanoic Acid

1. As an acid – It reacts with bases to form salts and water.
CH₃COOH_(aq) + NaOH_(aq)  →  CH₃COONa_(aq) + H₂O_(L)

2. Esterification – It reacts with alkanols to form esters and water.
CH3COOH_(aq) + C₂H₅OH_(aq)  →  CH₃COOC₂H_5(aq) + H₂O

3. Reduction – It undergoes reduction to form primary alkanols like ethanol in the presence of lithium tetrahydriodoaluminate LiALH₄
CH₃COOH + 4[H]  →  CH₃CH₂OH_(L) + H₂O_(L)