| Hexanoic acid | |
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Hexanoic acid |
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Other names
Caproic acid; n-Caproic acid; C6:0 (Lipid numbers) |
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 142-62-1 |
| PubChem | 8892 |
| ChemSpider | 8552 |
| UNII | 1F8SN134MX |
| KEGG | C01585 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:30776 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL14184 |
| Jmol-3D images | Image 1 |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C6H12O2 |
| Molar mass | 116.16 g mol−1 |
| Appearance | Oily liquid[1] |
| Density | 0.93 g/cm3[2] |
| Melting point |
−3.4 °C, 270 K, 26 °F ([1]) |
| Boiling point |
205 °C, 478 K, 401 °F ([1]) |
| Solubility in water | 1.082 g/100 g[1] |
| Acidity (pKa) | 4.88 |
| Hazards | |
| Flash point | 103 °C (217 °F)[2] |
| (verify) (what is: /?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
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| Infobox references | |
Hexanoic acid (caproic acid), is the carboxylic acid derived from hexane with the general formula C5H11COOH. It is a colorless oily liquid with an odor that is fatty, cheesy, waxy, and like 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 give the decomposing fleshy seed coat of the ginkgo its characteristic unpleasant odor.[3] The primary use of hexanoic acid is in the manufacture of its esters for artificial flavors, and in the manufacture of hexyl derivatives such as hexylphenols.[1]
The salts and esters of this acid are known as hexanoates or caproates.
Two other acids are named after goats: caprylic (C8) and capric (C10). Along with hexanoic acid, these total 15% in goat milk fat.
Caproic, caprylic, and capric acids (capric is a crystal- or wax-like substance, whereas the other 2 are mobile liquids) are not only used for the formation of esters but also commonly used "neat" in: butter, milk, cream, strawberry, bread, beer, nut, and other flavors.
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