Heptanoic Acid
Enanthic Acid
- CAS
- 111-14-8
- EC
- 203-838-7
- Sectors
- Food & Nutrition, Personal Care & Cosmetics, Lubricants & Metalworking
Heptanoic Acid (CAS 111-14-8), also known as enanthic acid, is an organic acid that appears as a colorless oily liquid with a pungent, rancid odor, and it is used to prepare esters for fragrances and flavors, as a food flavoring agent, in cosmetic emollients and in metalworking fluid corrosion inhibitors. It has a density of 0.918 g/cm³, boiling point 223°C, melting point -7.5°C, flash point 118°C, and refractive index 1.421-1.422. Slightly soluble in water (0.24 g/100mL at 15°C), miscible with ethanol and ether, it has a rancid odor and is produced by oxidation of heptanal or castor oil hydrolysis.
Typical Properties
| Molecular formula | C7H14O2 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 130.18 g/mol |
| Appearance | colourless liquid with a pungent and rancid odour |
| Form | Powder |
| Color | White to off-white |
| Odor | at 1.00 % in propylene glycol. rancid sour cheesy sweat |
| Melting point | -7.5 °C |
| Boiling point | 222.2 °C |
| Density | 0.9181 g/cm³ @ Temp: 20 °C |
| Water solubility | 0.24 g/100 mL (15 °C) |
| Flash point | >230 °F |
| GHS signal word | Danger · Corrosive, Irritant / harmful |
| HS code | 29159000 |
| Grades available | Food Grade |
Typical literature values for identification; lot-specific results are stated on the certificate of analysis (COA) and the safety data sheet (SDS) that accompany every delivery.
Heptanoic Acid
Applications
Used in the preparation of esters for fragrances and flavors; as an intermediate in organic synthesis for plasticizers and lubricants; in food as a flavoring agent; in pharmaceuticals for drug formulations; in cosmetics for emollients; in metalworking fluids as corrosion inhibitors.
Safety & Risks
Irritates skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; harmful if swallowed or inhaled causing burns. Combustible; avoid strong oxidizers to prevent reactions. Stable under normal conditions but decomposes at high temperatures; use PPE, ventilate areas; may cause environmental harm if released.
Packaging
Typically supplied in 200kg iron drums or plastic barrels; store in cool, dry, ventilated places away from incompatibles.