Structure via PubChem · Public domain (PubChem)
valeric acid
Sign in to saveAlso known as n-pentanoic acid, 1-butanecarboxylic acid, pentoic acid, CH3-[CH2]3-COOH, n-BuCOOH, N-C4H9COOH, n-valeric acid, valeric acid normal
chemical compound
Chemical data
- Formula
- C5H10O2
- Molecular weight
- 102.13 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- pentanoic acid
- SMILES
- CCCCC(=O)O
- InChIKey
- NQPDZGIKBAWPEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- XLogP
- 1.4
- Polar surface area
- 37.3 Ų
- H-bond donors
- 1
- H-bond acceptors
- 2
- Formal charge
- 0
via PubChem
Wikidata facts
- Mass
- 102.068
Show 10 more facts
- melting point
- -34.0
- flash point
- 86
- vapor pressure
- 0.25
- pKa
- 4.82
- canonical SMILES
- CCCCC(=O)O
- chemical formula
- C₅H₁₀O₂
- Commons category
- Valeric acid
- density
- 0.94
- ionization energy
- 10.53
- boiling point
- 186.15
via Wikidata · CC0
~4 min read
Article
Valeric acid or pentanoic acid is a straight-chain alkyl carboxylic acid with the chemical formula CH3(CH2)3COOH. Like other low-molecular-weight carboxylic acids, it has an unpleasant odor. It is found in the perennial flowering plant Valeriana officinalis, from which it gets its name. Its primary use is in the synthesis of its esters. Salts and esters of valeric acid are known as valerates or pentanoates. Volatile esters of valeric acid tend to have pleasant odors and are used in perfumes and cosmetics. Several, including ethyl valerate and pentyl valerate are used as food additives because of their fruity flavors.
History