Chloroacetic acid is a chlorocarboxylic acid that is acetic acid carrying a 2-chloro substituent. Chloroacetic acid, solid is a colorless to light-brown crystalline solid. It is soluble in water.
Chloroacetic acid (CAA, monochloroacetic acid, MCAA) is a halogenated aliphatic carboxylic acid generally used as herbicide and preservative. CAA is an irritant that hydrolyzes proteins resulting in degradation of the cells. This property has been applied in treating plantar warts.