Acetoacetic acid


Acetoacetic acid (also known as 3-oxobutanoic acid or diacetic acid) is a beta-keto acid of the keto acid group, its empirical formula is C<sub><font size="-1">4</font></sub>H<sub><font size="-1">6</font></sub>O<sub><font size="-1">3</font></sub> or CH<sub><font size="-1">3</font></sub>COCH<sub><font size="-1">2</font></sub>COOH. It is unstable at room temperature, decomposing to acetone and carbon dioxide.