Octanoic acid

Synonyms

0ctanoic acid; 1-Heptanecarboxylic acid; Acide octanoique [French]; Acido octanoico [Spanish]; Acidum octanocium [Latin]; C-8 acid; Caprylic acid; Caprylic acid (natural); Caprylsaeure; Enantic acid; Hexacid 898; Kyselina kaprylova [Czech]; Octic acid; Octoic acid; Octylic acid; n-Caprylic acid; n-Octanoic acid; n-Octoic acid; n-Octylic acid; neo-Fat 8; [ChemIDplus] UN3265

Category

Organic Acids

Description

Colorless to light yellow liquid with a mild odor; Insoluble in water; [CAMEO] May solidify when used or stored below room temperature; [CHEMINFO]

Sources/Uses

Used to make dyes, drugs, perfumes, flavors, antiseptics, and fungicides; Also used in ore separations, hydraulic fluids, machining oils, flotation agents, and wood preservatives; [HSDB]

Comments

Category of C7-C9 aliphatic aldehydes and carboxylic acids: Members and supporting chemicals demonstrate low acute toxicity by oral, dermal, and inhalation exposures; toxicity in repeated-dose studies only at relatively high levels; no evidence of reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity, or mutagenicity; [EPA ChAMP: Hazard Characterization] Corrosive to skin; [Quick CPC] A skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritant; [HSDB] An irritant; [MSDSonline]

Biomedical References

0.00371 mm Hg

0.008 ppm

Explanatory Notes

Flash point = 270 deg F; [HSDB] mp = 61-62 deg F; [CAMEO] Recognition odor threshold from CHEMINFO; ERG Guide is for "Corrosive liquid, acidic, organic, n.o.s."

Skin burns

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Applying Wood Preservatives
• Metal Extraction and Refining
• Metal Machining
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides