Vinegar syndrome, also known as acetic acid syndrome, is a condition created by the deacetylation of cellulose acetates (usually cellulose diacetate) and cellulose triacetate. This deacetylation produces acetic acid, giving off a vinegar odor that gives the condition its name; as well, objects undergoing vinegar syndrome often shrink, embrittle, and form crystals on their surface due to the migration of plasticizers. Vinegar syndrome widely affects cellulose acetate film as used in photography. It has also been observed to affect older magnetic tape, where cellulose acetate is used as a base, as well as polarizers used in liquid-crystal display units and everyday plastics such as containers and tableware. High temperatures and fluctuations in relative humidity have been observed to accelerate the process. The process is autocatalytic, and the damage done by vinegar syndrome is irreversible.
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Vinegar syndrome in the context of Cellulose diacetate
Cellulose diacetate, sometimes called diacetate, is a synthetic polymer made by treating cellulose with acetic acid. It consists of two acetyl functional groups on each unit of D-anhydroglucopyranose of the cellulose molecule. It was first developed in the United States.
It is fragile since it is based on cellulose. When cellulose diacetate deteriorates, it shrinks and releases acetic acid causing vinegar syndrome.
View the full Wikipedia page for Cellulose diacetate