It is soluble in water and possesses an odour resembling that of acetic acid.
As early as 1866, tannic acid, gallic acid, wood spirit, acetic acid, essential oil and eucalyptol were produced from various species of eucalyptus, and researches made by Australian chemists, notably by Messrs.
It may be prepared by the addition of potassium nitrite to an acetic acid solution of cobalt chloride.
Duclaux found that acetic acid is formed in small quantities during fermentation; aldehyde has also been detected.
It is somewhat readily oxidized; nitric acid gives carbonic and oxalic acids, and chromic acid, carbonic and acetic acids.