Product Name
Octanoic Acid
Category
Fatty Acids and Ester Homologs
Description
Octanoic acid appears as a colorless to light yellow liquid with a mild odor. Burns, but may be difficult to ignite. Corrosive to metals and tissue.;Liquid; OtherSolid, Liquid;Liquid;Liquid;Liquid;colourless, oily liquid/slight, unpleasant odour
Canonical SMILES
CCCCCCCC(=O)O
InChI
WWZKQHOCKIZLMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
InChI Key
InChI=1S/C8H16O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8(9)10/h2-7H2,1H3,(H,9,10)
Boiling Point
237 °C(lit.)
Solubility
less than 1 mg/mL at 64° F (NTP, 1992);0.01 M;0.789 mg/mL at 30 °C;Very slightly sol in water (0.068 g/100 g at 20 °C); freely sol in alcohol, chloroform, ether, carbon disulfide, petroleum ether, glacial acetic acid;Miscible in ethanol, chloroform, acetonitrile;In water 789 mg/L at 30 °C;0.789 mg/mL;slightly soluble in water; soluble in most organic solvents
Appearance
Light yellow characteristic liquid
Application
Octanoic acid, also known as caprylic acid, serves multiple purposes due to its unique chemical properties. As a medium-chain fatty acid, it is naturally present in various foods and serves as a commercial flavoring agent with applications across numerous food categories, such as baked goods, cheeses, frozen desserts, and more due to its mild, sometimes fruity-acid flavor. Beyond its culinary uses, octanoic acid is recognized for its antibacterial properties, making it valuable as an antimicrobial pesticide and as a sanitizer for food contact surfaces in food processing and handling facilities. Moreover, its penetration abilities through fatty cell wall membranes allow octanoic acid to be effective in treating certain bacterial infections, including those caused by lipid-coated bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, its applications extend to the agricultural sector as an algaecide, bactericide, and fungicide, and it is utilized in the manufacturing of perfumery esters and dyes. As a dietary supplement, octanoic acid may also aid in calorie burning and weight loss, highlighting its diverse functionality in both industrial and health-related fields.
Fatty Acid
Octanoic
(Caprylic)
Stability
Stable. Incompatible with bases, reducing agents, oxidizing agents. Flammable.