Valeric Acid, Pentanoic Acid, 1‑Butanecarboxylic Acid, Propylacetic Acid, Propylacetic Acid, Pentane Acid, 109‑52‑4

Valeric Acid, Pentanoic Acid, 1‑Butanecarboxylic Acid, Propylacetic Acid, Propylacetic Acid, Pentane Acid, 109‑52‑4

Valeric Acid (CAS No: 109‑52‑4) is also known as Pentanoic Acid or n‑Valeric Acid. It is a short‑chain fatty acid with industrial and research applications.

🔬 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Formula: C₅H₁₀O₂

• Molecular Weight: 102.13 g/mol

• Structure: Straight‑chain carboxylic acid (CH₃(CH₂)₃COOH)

• Appearance: Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid

• Odor: Strong, pungent, rancid smell (cheesy/sweaty notes)

• Melting Point: −20 to −18 °C

• Boiling Point: 110–111 °C (at 10 mmHg)

• Density: 0.939 g/mL (25 °C)

• pKa: 4.84 (at 25 °C)

• Flash Point: ~192 °F (89 °C)

• Solubility: ~40 g/L in water at 25 °C

⚙️ Applications

• Chemical intermediate: Used in synthesis of esters for flavors and fragrances.

• Pharmaceuticals: Precursor in drug development.

• Agriculture: Component in certain herbicides and pesticides.

• Research: Studied as a short‑chain fatty acid with biological activity.

⚠️ Safety & Handling

• Hazards: Irritant; strong odor can cause discomfort.

• Precautions: Store below +30 °C, in tightly sealed containers.

• Protective equipment: Gloves, goggles, and proper ventilation required.

📊 Sectoral Suitability Table – Valeric Acid (CAS 109‑52‑4)

🏭 Chemical Industry

• Main use: Raw material for producing valerate esters.

• Applications: Solvents, intermediates in organic synthesis, and building blocks for specialty chemicals.

• Note: Industrial synthesis often derives valeric acid from 1‑butene via the Oxo process.

🍽️ Food & Flavor

• Direct use: Pure valeric acid is not suitable due to its pungent odor.

• Indirect use: Esters (e.g., pentyl valerate) provide fruity, pleasant notes used in flavorings for beverages and confectionery.

• Regulation: Only ester derivatives are permitted as flavor additives; the acid itself is excluded.

💄 Cosmetics & Perfume

• Use: Valeric acid esters are widely applied in perfumes and cosmetics to add fruity, floral, and sweet notes.

• Example: Isoamyl valerate is a common fragrance ingredient.

• Note: The acid itself is avoided due to its unpleasant smell; esters are the preferred form.

💊 Pharmaceuticals

• Role: Intermediate in the synthesis of certain active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

• Example: Related to valproic acid, an anticonvulsant drug.

• Requirement: Production must comply with GMP standards and pharmaceutical quality certifications.

🌱 Agriculture & Pesticides

• Use: Intermediate in some herbicide and pesticide formulations.

• Benefit: Ester derivatives improve solubility and effectiveness of agrochemical products.

• Note: Usage is strictly regulated due to environmental impact considerations.

👕 Textile & Dye

• Use: Limited; occasionally as a solvent or auxiliary chemical in specialty dye formulations.

• Note: Rare and niche applications only.

⚡ Energy & Fuel Additives

• Use: No significant role in this sector.

• Note: Valeric acid is not suitable as a fuel additive.

⚠️ Safety & Handling

• Hazards: Irritant to skin and eyes; strong odor causes discomfort.

• Storage: Below +30 °C, tightly sealed containers, well‑ventilated areas.

• Protection: Gloves, goggles, and masks recommended.

✅ Summary: Valeric Acid is highly relevant in chemical, flavor, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries, moderately used in agriculture, and has minimal or no role in textile and energy sectors.

🏭 Chemical Industry (Mandatory Use)

• Core role: Starting material for valerate esters.

• Why mandatory: Without valeric acid, these esters cannot be synthesized.

• Applications: Solvents, intermediates, specialty chemicals.

🍽️ Food & Flavor (Indirect Mandatory Use)

• Direct acid: Not suitable due to strong odor.

• Esters: Pentyl valerate and similar compounds are essential flavoring agents in beverages and confectionery.

• Why mandatory: Ester derivatives are critical in flavor formulations.

💄 Cosmetics & Perfume (Mandatory – Esters)

• Use: Valerate esters add fruity, floral, sweet notes to perfumes and cosmetics.

• Why mandatory: Many fragrance compositions rely on these esters; without them, key scent profiles are incomplete.

💊 Pharmaceuticals (Partially Mandatory)

• Role: Intermediate in synthesis of certain APIs.

• Example: Related to valproic acid (anticonvulsant drug).

• Why mandatory: For specific drug synthesis pathways, valeric acid is indispensable.

🌱 Agriculture & Pesticides (Partially Mandatory)

• Use: Intermediate in some herbicide/pesticide formulations.

• Why mandatory: Only in specific formulations; not universal across all agrochemicals.

👕 Textile & Dye (Optional)

• Use: Rare, niche solvent or auxiliary chemical.

• Why mandatory: Not required; optional in specialized cases.

⚡ Energy & Fuel Additives (Not Applicable)

• Use: No significant role.

• Mandatory status: Not used in this sector.

✅ Summary

• Mandatory sectors: Chemical industry, Food & Flavor (esters), Cosmetics & Perfume (esters), certain Pharmaceuticals.

• Partially mandatory: Agriculture & Pesticides.

• Optional/Not used: Textile & Dye, Energy.

🔬 Technical / Scientific Synonyms

• Pentanoic Acid (IUPAC name)

• n‑Valeric Acid (straight‑chain form)

• 1‑Butanecarboxylic Acid

• Propylacetic Acid

• Valerianic Acid (older chemical literature)

• Pentane Acid

• 1‑Pentanoic Acid Sources:

🌍 Common Names in Different Languages

• English: Valeric Acid, Pentanoic Acid

• French: Acide valérique (acide pentanoïque)

• German: Valeriansäure, Pentansäure

• Spanish: Ácido valérico, Ácido pentanoico

• Italian: Acido valerico, Acido pentanoico

• Portuguese: Ácido valérico

• Russian: Валериановая кислота (Valerianovaya kislota)

• Polish: Kwas walerianowy

• Czech/Slovak: Kyselina valerová

• Turkish: Valerik Asit, Pentanoik Asit Sources:

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Colloquial / Everyday References

• Often referred to as “smelly acid” or “cheesy acid” because of its strong, rancid odor.

• In fragrance and flavor industries, people usually mention its esters (like isoamyl valerate) rather than the acid itself, since the acid’s odor is unpleasant.

• In older texts, sometimes called “valerian root acid” due to its association with compounds found in valerian plants.

⚠️ Notes for Use

• Technical documents should always prefer Pentanoic Acid (IUPAC) or Valeric Acid (common).

• Trade and procurement often list both CAS No (109‑52‑4) and EC No (203‑677‑2) to avoid confusion.

• Colloquial names are not suitable for compliance or ERP systems but can appear in lab slang or supplier conversations.

✅ Summary: Valeric Acid is most formally known as Pentanoic Acid (IUPAC), but in industry and trade you’ll encounter Valeric Acid, n‑Valeric Acid, Propylacetic Acid, Valerianic Acid, and their equivalents in major European languages. In everyday speech, it’s often nicknamed for its strong, cheesy odor.