Chemistry:Phenoxyacetic acid

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Phenoxyacetic acid
Phenoxyacetic-acid.png
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Phenoxyacetic acid
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
907949
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 204-556-7
142730
KEGG
UNII
UN number 3347
Properties
C8H8O3
Molar mass 152.15 g/mol
Appearance White solid or tan powder
Odor Sweet and sour
Melting point 98–99 °C (208–210 °F; 371–372 K)
log P 1.48
Acidity (pKa) 3.7
Hazards
GHS pictograms GHS07: Harmful
GHS Signal word Warning
H302, H315, H319, H335
P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301+312, P302+352, P304+340, P305+351+338, P312, P321, P330, P332+313, P337+313, P362, P403+233, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Phenoxyacetic acid, POA, is a white solid with the formula of C8H8O3.[1][2] Although not itself usefully active as an herbicide, it forms the part-structure of many phenoxy herbicide derivatives including MCPA and 2,4-D.

Structure and synthesis

Phenoxyacetic acid is an O-phenyl derivative of glycolic acid. It is both a monocarboxylic acid and an aryl ether. Its preparation from sodium phenolate and sodium chloroacetate in hot water was first reported in 1880.[3]

1) C6H5ONa+ + ClCH2COONa+ → C6H5OCH2COONa+ + NaCl
2) C6H5OCH2COONa+ + HCl → C6H5OCH2COOH + NaCl

The phenolate anion reacts via nucleophilic attack on the methylene carbon of the chloroacetic acid, forming an ether bond.

Properties

Phenoxyacetic acid is a white or clear crystalline compound at room temperature.[2] When impure, it can appear to be a light tan to brown. The compound has a solubility in water of 12 g/L and is highly soluble in organic solvents including ethanol, diethyl ether and benzene. Phenoxyacetic acid is a weak acid and weak base with a pKa of 3.7.[1][4]

Uses

Phenoxyacetic acid has found minor uses as a food additive and perfume component and is categorised as "generally recognised as safe" in these applications.[5][6]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Wishart, David S.; Djombou Feunang, Yannick; Marcu, Ana; Guo, An Chi; Liang, Kevin; Vázquez Fresno, Rosa; Sajed, Tanvir; Johnson, Daniel et al.. "Showing metabocard for Phenoxyacetic acid (HMDB0031609)". https://hmdb.ca/metabolites/HMDB0031609. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Phenoxyacetic acid". 2021. https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/mm/800667?lang=en&region=GB. 
  3. "Phenoxyacetic Acid". Journal of the Chemical Society, Abstracts 38: 318–319. 1880. doi:10.1039/CA8803800307. 
  4. Freed, V. H.; Chiou, C. T.; Schmedding, D.; Kohnert, R. (1979). "Some physical factors in toxicological assessment tests". Environmental Health Perspectives 30: 75–80. doi:10.1289/ehp.793075. PMID 446460. 
  5. "Phenoxyacetic acid". http://www.thegoodscentscompany.com/data/rw1033781.html. 
  6. "Opinion of the Scientific Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food (AFC) related to Flavouring Group Evaluation 23 (FGE.23): Aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic ethers including anisole derivatives from chemical groups 15, 16 and 26 (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000". EFSA Journal 5 (5). 2007. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2007.417.