In animals, molecules of acetic acid (acetate) serve as precursors in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones. Acetic acid has been prepared on an industrial scale by air oxidation of acetaldehyde, by oxidation of ethanol (ethyl alcohol), and by oxidation of butane and butene

In a school laboratory, alkanoic acids can be prepared by adding an oxidizing agent (H+/KMnO4 or H+ / K2Cr2O7) to the corresponding alkanol then warming.

The oxidation converts the alkanol first to an alkanal the alkanoic acid.

Industrially,large scale manufacture of alkanoic acid like ethanoic acid is obtained from:

(a)Alkenes reacting with steam at high temperatures and pressure in presence of phosphoric(V)acid catalyst and undergo hydrolysis to form alkanols. i.e.

Alkenes + Steam/water   -- H2PO4 Catalyst--> Alkanol

The alkanol is then oxidized by air at 5 atmosphere pressure  with Manganese (II)sulphate(VI) catalyst to form the alkanoic acid.

Alkanol+Air--MnSO4 Catalyst/5atm pressure->alkanoic acid

the reaction takes place in two steps;

state the uses of ethanol