Calcium acetate

Production

Calcium acetate can be prepared by soaking calcium carbonate (found in eggshells, or in common carbonate rocks such as limestone or marble) or hydrated lime in vinegar: : : Since both reagents would have been available pre-historically, the chemical would have been observable as crystals then.

Uses

• In kidney disease, blood levels of phosphate may rise (called hyperphosphatemia) leading to bone problems. Calcium acetate binds phosphate in the diet to lower blood phosphate levels.
• Calcium acetate is used as a food additive, as a stabilizer, buffer and sequestrant, mainly in candy products under the number E263.
• Tofu is traditionally obtained by coagulating soy milk with calcium sulfate. Calcium acetate has been found to be a better alternative; being soluble, it requires less skill and a smaller amount.
• Because it is inexpensive, calcium acetate was once a common starting material for the synthesis of acetone before the development of the cumene process:{{cite journal :
• A saturated solution of calcium acetate in alcohol forms a semisolid, flammable gel that is much like "canned heat" products such as Sterno. Chemistry teachers often prepare "California Snowballs", a mixture of calcium acetate solution and ethanol. The resulting gel is whitish in color, resembling a snowball and can be lit on fire; it will burn for around 20 minutes.

Natural occurrence

Pure calcium acetate is yet unknown among minerals. Calclacitecalcium acetate chloride pentahydrateis listed as a known mineral, but its genesis is anthropogenic (human-generated, as opposed to naturally occurring).

References

References

1. [[International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry]]. (2014). "Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry: IUPAC Recommendations and Preferred Names 2013". [[Royal Society of Chemistry.
2. Dale L. Perry. (May 19, 2011). "Handbook of Inorganic Compounds". Taylor & Francis.
3. "Calcium Acetate".
4. (1980). "Use of Calcium Salts for Soybean Curd Preparation". Journal of Food Science.
5. ""Canned Heat" at Journal of Chemical Education "Chemistry comes alive!"".
6. "Chemistry Teaching Resources".
7. "CA (California) Snowball". [[University of California Davis]].
8. "Calclacite".
9. (2022-12-08). "Man made minerals". [[New South Wales Government]].