Valeric acid

Valeric acid, or pentanoic acid, is a straight-chain alkyl carboxylic acid with the chemical formula CH
3(CH
2)
3COOH. 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. Salts and esters of valeric acid are known as valerates or pentanoates. 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[1]

Names
IUPAC name Pentanoic acid
Other names Valeric acid Butane-1-carboxylic acid Valerianic acid
Identifiers
CAS Number	109-52-4 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:17418
ChEMBL	ChEMBL268736 N
ChemSpider	7701 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.003.344
IUPHAR/BPS	1061
PubChem CID	7991
RTECS number	YV6100000
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID7021655
InChI InChI=1S/C5H10O2/c1-2-3-4-5(6)7/h2-4H2,1H3,(H,6,7) N Key: NQPDZGIKBAWPEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N N InChI=1/C5H10O2/c1-2-3-4-5(6)7/h2-4H2,1H3,(H,6,7) Key: NQPDZGIKBAWPEJ-UHFFFAOYAU
SMILES CCCCC(O)=O
Properties
Chemical formula	C5H10O2
Molar mass	102.133 g·mol−1
Appearance	Colorless liquid
Density	0.930 g/cm3
Melting point	−34.5 °C (−30.1 °F; 238.7 K)
Boiling point	186 to 187 °C (367 to 369 °F; 459 to 460 K)
Solubility in water	4.97 g/100 mL
Acidity (pKa)	4.82
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	-66.85·10−6 cm3/mol
Hazards
Main hazards	irritant
R-phrases (outdated)	R34 R52/53
S-phrases (outdated)	S26 S36 S45 S61
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	1 3 0
Flash point	86 °C (187 °F; 359 K)
Related compounds
Related compounds	Butyric acid, Hexanoic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Valeric acid appears similar in structure to GHB and the neurotransmitter GABA in that it is a short-chain carboxylic acid, although it lacks the alcohol and amine functional groups that contribute to the biological activities of GHB and GABA, respectively. It differs from valproic acid simply by lacking a 3-carbon side-chain. Mevalonic acid is derived from valeric acid by methylation and hydroxylation.