Showing chemical card for Heptanoic acid (CFc000000523)
Record Information
Version
1.0
Creation Date
2022-08-28 10:25:12 UTC
Update Date
2022-09-13 18:44:56 UTC
Chemfont ID
CFc000000523
Molecule Identification
Common Name
Heptanoic acid
Definition
Heptanoic acid, or C7:0 also known as enanthic acid or heptylic acid, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as medium-chain fatty acids. Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) are fatty acids with aliphatic tails of 6 to 12 carbons, which can form medium-chain triglycerides Heptanoic acid 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. Its name derives from the Latin oenanthe which is in turn derived from the Ancient Greek oinos "wine" and anthos "blossom." Heptanoic acid is used in the preparation of esters, such as ethyl enanthate, which are used in fragrances and as artificial flavors. The triglyceride ester of heptanoic acid is the triheptanoin, which is used in certain medical conditions as a nutritional supplement.
Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as medium-chain fatty acids. These are fatty acids with an aliphatic tail that contains between 4 and 12 carbon atoms.
Jain, R. K.; Venkatesan, T. K. Heptanoic acid from heptaldehyde. Journal of the Oil Technologists' Association of India (Mumbai, India) (1984), 16(4), 111-12.