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

ACE′TO-ACE′TIC ACID, a thick acid liquid, having the formula CH$2$COCH$2$COOH. 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 CH$3$COCH$2$COOC$2$H$5$ or as CH$3$C(OH): CHCOOC$2$H$5$.