Acrylic acid is a clear, colorless liquid with a sharp, acrid odor, widely used as a key building block in the chemical industry. It is an unsaturated carboxylic acid with the formula C₃H₄O₂, known for its ability to undergo polymerization. Acrylic acid is primarily used in the production of acrylate polymers, which are found in adhesives, paints, coatings, textiles, and superabsorbent materials like diapers. Its reactive double bond and carboxylic group make it highly versatile for creating copolymers and chemical intermediates. While valuable industrially, it must be handled with care due to its corrosive nature and potential health hazards.