16.8 °C
Crystals from ether and isopropyl ether; melting point = 52.8 °C; pK = 3.83; soluble in water, alcohol, acetone, ether, glycerol; practically insoluble in chloroform. /D-lactic acid/
Crystals from acetic acid or chloroform; melting point = 53 °C; pK = 3.79 at 25 °C. /L-lactic acid/
17 °C
Boiling Point
122 °C at 15 mm Hg
Density
1.2 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
1.2060 g/cu cm at 21 °C
Relative density (water = 1): 1.2
1.200-1.209
Physical Description
Lactic acid appears as a colorless to yellow odorless syrupy liquid. Corrosive to metals and tissue. Used to make cultured dairy products, as a food preservative, and to make chemicals.
Liquid
Colourless or yellowish, nearly odourless, syrupy liquid to solid
Thick liquid or crystals, colorless to yellow; mp = 17 deg C; [ICSC]
VISCOUS COLOURLESS-TO-YELLOW LIQUID OR COLOURLESS-TO-YELLOW CRYSTALS.
Appearance
Crystals (melt at 16.8 °C)
Yellow to colorless crystals or syrupy 50% liquid
Viscous, colorless to yellow liquid or colorless to yellow crystals