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Valeric acid

Valeric acid

Chembox new
Reference= ["Merck Index", 12th Edition, 10042.]
Name = Valeric acid
ImageFile = Valeric_acid.png ImageSize = 150px
ImageName = Valeric acid
IUPACName = Pentanoic acid
OtherNames = Valeric acid
Butane-1-carboxylic acid
Section1 = Chembox Identifiers
SMILES = CCCCC(O)=O
CASNo = 109-52-4
RTECS = YV6100000
Section2 = Chembox Properties
Formula = C5H10O2
MolarMass = 102.13 g/mol
Appearance = Colorless liquid
Density = 0.930 g/cm³, liquid
Solubility = 4.97 g/100 ml (25 °C)
MeltingPt = -34.5 °C
BoilingPt = 186-187 °C
pKa = 4.82
Viscosity =
Section7 = Chembox Hazards
ExternalMSDS =
MainHazards = irritant
FlashPt = 86 °C
RPhrases = R34 R52/53
SPhrases = S26 S36 S45 S61
Section8 = Chembox Related
OtherCpds = Butyric acid
Ethyl valerate
Pentyl pentanoate

Valeric acid, or pentanoic acid, is a straight-chain alkyl carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C5H10O2. Like other low-molecular-weight carboxylic acids, it has a very unpleasant odor. It is found naturally in the perennial flowering plant valerian ("Valeriana officinalis"), from which it gets its name. Its primary use is in the synthesis of its esters. Volatile esters of valeric acid tend to have pleasant odors and are used in perfumes and cosmetics. Ethyl valerate and pentyl valerate are used as food additives because of their fruity flavors.

Valeric acid has a similar structure to both GHB and the neurotransmitter GABA. It differs from valproic acid simply by lacking a 3-carbon side chain.

afety

Valeric acid can cause irritation to humans if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes, but otherwise causes little harm because it tends not to vapourise at room temperature unless it is in its pure glacial form. It is, however, toxic to aquatic life and so should not be disposed of into drains without first diluting the acidic solution.

Applications

Valerian root has a long history of use as an herbal sedative/hypnotic.

Valeric acid, if applied directly, has been claimed to be an effective treatment for acne, as yet without support from peer reviewed trials.

ee also

* Pivalic acid (2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid)

References

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • valeric acid — [və ler′ik, vəlir′ik] n. any of four isomeric fatty acids, C4H9COOH, some originally found in valerian root, but all now made synthetically: used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, flavors, perfumes, etc …   English World dictionary

  • valeric acid — valerijonų rūgštis statusas T sritis chemija formulė H(CH₂)₄COOH atitikmenys: angl. valeric acid rus. валериановая кислота ryšiai: sinonimas – pentano rūgštis …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • valeric acid — [və lɛrɪk, lɪərɪk] noun Chemistry a liquid fatty acid present in various plant oils, used in perfumery. Origin C19: valeric from valerian + ic …   English new terms dictionary

  • valeric acid — Normal aliphatic acid; distilled from valerian; some of its salts are used in medicine; found in human colon. SYN: pentanoic acid. * * * va·le·ric acid və .lir ik also va·le·ri·an·ic acid və .lir ē .an ik n any of four isomeric fatty acids… …   Medical dictionary

  • valeric acid — noun Etymology: valerian; from its occurrence in the root of valerian Date: 1857 any of four isomeric fatty acids C5H10O2 or a mixture of these; especially a liquid acid of disagreeable odor obtained from valerian or made synthetically and used… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • valeric acid — noun A short chain aliphatic carboxylic acid, CH(CH)COOH, obtained from the roots of valerian; used in perfume, flavourings, pharmaceuticals See Also: valerate …   Wiktionary

  • valeric acid — n. Chem. = PENTANOIC ACID. Etymology: VALERIAN + IC …   Useful english dictionary

  • Active valeric acid — Valeric Va*ler ic, a. (Chem.) Valerianic; specifically, designating any one of three metameric acids, of which the typical one (called also {inactive valeric acid}), {C4H9CO2H}, is obtained from valerian root and other sources, as a corrosive,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • inactive valeric acid — Valeric Va*ler ic, a. (Chem.) Valerianic; specifically, designating any one of three metameric acids, of which the typical one (called also {inactive valeric acid}), {C4H9CO2H}, is obtained from valerian root and other sources, as a corrosive,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • valeric acid — Chem. any of several isomeric organic acids having the formula C5H10O2, the common one being a liquid of pungent odor obtained from valerian roots: used chiefly as an intermediate in perfumery. [1855 60] * * * …   Universalium