Chemistry:Caproic acid

From HandWiki
Caproic acid
Skeletal formula
Ball-and-stick model
Names
IUPAC name
Hexanoic acid
Preferred IUPAC name
Hexanoic acid
Other names
Hexoic acid
Hexylic acid
Butylacetic acid
Pentylformic acid
1-Pentanecarboxylic acid
C6:0 (Lipid numbers)
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
773837
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 205-550-7
185066
KEGG
UNII
Properties
C6H12O2
Molar mass 116.160 g·mol−1
Appearance Oily liquid[1]
Odor goat-like
Density 0.929 g/cm3[2]
Melting point −3.4 °C (25.9 °F; 269.8 K)[1]
Boiling point 205.8 °C (402.4 °F; 478.9 K)[1]
1.082 g/100 mL[1]
Solubility soluble in ethanol, ether
Acidity (pKa) 4.88
−78.55·10−6 cm3/mol
1.4170
Viscosity 3.1 mP
Hazards
GHS pictograms GHS05: Corrosive
GHS Signal word Danger
H314
P260, P264, P280, P301+330+331, P302+352, P303+361+353, P304+340, P305+351+338, P310, P312, P321, P322, P361, P363, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondFlammability code 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oilHealth code 3: Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury. E.g. chlorine gasReactivity code 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
1
3
0
Flash point 103 °C (217 °F; 376 K)[2]
380 °C (716 °F; 653 K)
Explosive limits 1.3-9.3%
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
3000 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Pentanoic acid, Heptanoic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

Caproic acid, also known as hexanoic acid, is the carboxylic acid derived from hexane with the chemical formula CH
3
(CH
2
)
4
COOH
. It is a colorless oily liquid with a fatty, cheesy, waxy odor resembling that of goats[1] or other barnyard animals. It is a fatty acid found naturally in various animal fats and oils, and is one of the chemicals that gives the decomposing fleshy seed coat of the ginkgo its characteristic unpleasant odor.[3] It is also one of the components of vanilla and cheese. Salts and esters of caproic acid are known as caproates or hexanoates.

Two other acids are named after goats: caprylic acid (C8) and capric acid (C10). Along with caproic acid, they account for 15% of the fat in goat's milk.

Caproic, caprylic, and capric acids (capric is a crystal- or wax-like substance, whereas the other two are mobile liquids) are used for the formation of esters, and also commonly used "neat" in: butter, milk, cream, strawberry, bread, beer, nut, and other flavors.

Properties

Caproic acid is a 6-Carbon saturated fatty acid. It occurs in a white crystalline solid form or a colorless to pale yellow liquid state, accompanied by a strong and unpleasant odor. It has limited solubility in water, although it is soluble in dimethyl ether, benzene and other organic solvents.[4][5]

It may be prepared by fractionation of the volatile fatty acids of coconut oil.[6] Caproic acid belongs to the family of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) which can be used to synthesize Medium-chain triglycerides.

Uses

The primary use of caproic acid is in the manufacture of its esters for use as artificial flavors, and in the manufacture of hexyl derivatives, such as hexylphenols.[1] Several progestin medications are caproate esters, such as hydroxyprogesterone caproate and gestonorone caproate. Its derivatives are also used in soaps, shampoos, conditioners and gels.

Caproic acid is also used as a component in varnish driers, as well as a lubricant. Its derivatives can also be incorporated to modify the elasticity, strength, and resilience of rubber products.[7]

See also

References