Enanthic acid

Heptanoic acid

Names
IUPAC name Heptanoic acid
Other names Enanthic acid; Oenanthic acid; n-Heptylic acid; n-Heptoic acid
Identifiers
CAS Number	111-14-8 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:45571 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL320358 Y
ChemSpider	7803 Y
DrugBank	DB02938 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.003.490
KEGG	C17714 Y
PubChem CID	8094
UNII	THE3YNP39D Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID2021600
InChI InChI=1S/C7H14O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7(8)9/h2-6H2,1H3,(H,8,9) Y Key: MNWFXJYAOYHMED-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C7H14O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7(8)9/h2-6H2,1H3,(H,8,9) Key: MNWFXJYAOYHMED-UHFFFAOYAP
SMILES O=C(O)CCCCCC
Properties
Chemical formula	C7H14O2
Molar mass	130.187 g·mol−1
Appearance	Oily liquid
Density	0.9181 g/cm3 (20 °C)
Melting point	−7.5 °C (18.5 °F; 265.6 K)
Boiling point	223 °C (433 °F; 496 K)
Solubility in water	0.2419 g/100 mL (15 °C)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Heptanoic acid, also called enanthic acid, is an organic compound composed of a seven-carbon chain terminating in a carboxylic acid. It is an oily liquid with an unpleasant, rancid odor. It contributes to the odor of some rancid oils. It is slightly soluble in water, but very soluble in ethanol and ether.

Heptanoic acid is used in the preparation of esters, such as ethyl heptanoate, which are used in fragrances and as artificial flavors.

It is also one of many additives in cigarettes.

Heptanoic acid can be used to synthesize pure hexane, which is the main chemical component of gasoline. Concentrated hydrochloric acid can be used to catalyze the decarboxylation reaction:

C7H14O2 + HCl + (Heat) -> C6H14 + CO2 + HCl

OR:

H3C-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-COOH + HCl(aq) + (Heat) -> H3C-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3 + CO2 + HCl

Heptanoic acid is known to exist in Mimosa.

Finding plant sources that contain high levels of this fatty acid and Hexanoic acid would be helpful in solving energy/fuel crisis problems. Hexanoic acid and Heptanoic acid can be used to synthesize pentane and hexane, both of which have lower boiling points than Octane and Heptane. Because of their low boiling points, they burn cleaner in combustion engines and give better mileage than high octane fuels.