Hexanoic acid

Hexanoic acid
IUPAC name Hexanoic acid
Other names Caproic acid; n-Caproic acid; C6:0 (Lipid numbers)
Identifiers
CAS number	142-62-1 Y
PubChem	8892
ChemSpider	8552 Y
UNII	1F8SN134MX Y
KEGG	C01585 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:30776 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL14184 Y
Jmol-3D images	Image 1
SMILES CCCCCC(=O)O
InChI InChI=1S/C6H12O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6(7)8/h2-5H2,1H3,(H,7,8) Y Key: FUZZWVXGSFPDMH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C6H12O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6(7)8/h2-5H2,1H3,(H,7,8) Key: FUZZWVXGSFPDMH-UHFFFAOYAY
Properties
Molecular formula	C6H12O2
Molar mass	116.16 g mol−1
Appearance	Oily liquid
Density	0.93 g/cm3
Melting point	−3.4 °C, 270 K, 26 °F ()
Boiling point	205 °C, 478 K, 401 °F ()
Solubility in water	1.082 g/100 g
Acidity (pKa)	4.88
Hazards
Flash point	103 °C (217 °F)
Y (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
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 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. 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.

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.