What is "acrylic acid"

n. (context organic compound English) A colourless liquid unsaturated organic acid, CH₂CHCOOH; used as a monomer in the production of acrylic resins; forms acrylate esters by combination with alcohols.

n. an unsaturated liquid carboxylic acid used in the manufacture of acrylic resins [syn: propenoic acid]

Acrylic acid ( IUPAC: prop-2-enoic acid) is an organic compound with the formula CH=CHCOH. It is the simplest unsaturated carboxylic acid, consisting of a vinyl group connected 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 thousand kilotons are produced annually.