gamma-Valerolactone
Agent Name
gamma-Valerolactone
Alternative Name
2(3H)-Furanone, dihydro-5-methyl-
CAS Number
108-29-2
Formula
C5-H8-O2
Major Category
Other Classes
Synonyms
2(3H)-Furanone, dihydro-5-methyl-; 4-Hydroxypentanoic acid lactone; 4-Hydroxyvaleric acid lactone; 4-Methyl-4-hydroxybutanoic acid lactone; 4-Methyl-gamma-butyrolactone; 4-Pentanolide; 4-Valerolactone; 5-Methyltetrahydro-2-furanone; Dihydro-5-methyl-2(3H)-furanone; Pentanoic acid, 4-hydroxy-, gamma-lactone; Pentanolide-1,4; Valeric acid, 4-hydroxy-, gamma-lactone; gamma-Methyl-gamma-butyrolactone; gamma-Pentalactone; gamma-Valerolakton [Czech]; gamma-Valeryllactone; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Lactones
Description
Colorless liquid; [CAMEO]
Sources/Uses
A metabolite of n-hexane; [ChemIDplus] Used as flavoring agent or adjuvant; [FDA] A constituent of crude polyligneous acid; Used in dye bathes (coupling agent), brake fluid, cutting oils, and as a solvent for adhesives, insecticides, and lacquers; [NTP]
Comments
A mild skin irritant; Causes general anesthesia in oral lethal-dose studies of rabbits and rats; [RTECS] A skin, eye, mucous membrane, and upper respiratory tract irritant; [NTP] Safe when used as a flavoring agent in food; [JECFA] An irritant; [Alfa Aesar MSDS] See "Butyrolactones."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Explanatory Notes
VP = 0.5 mm Hg at 29 deg C; [CAMEO]
Adverse Effects
Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: