Nonanoic acid

Synonyms

Pelargonic acid; 1-Octanecarboxylic acid; Cirrasol 185A; Cirrasol 185a; Emfac 1202; Hexacid C-9; Nonoic acid; Nonylic acid; Pelargic acid; Pelargon [Russian]; n-Nonanoic acid; n-Nonoic acid; n-Nonylic acid; [ChemIDplus]

Category

Organic Acids

Description

Colorless or yellowish liquid; mp = 12.5 deg C; [Hawley]

Sources/Uses

Naturally occurs as an ester in oil of pelargonium; [Merck Index] Found in several essential oils; Used in lacquers, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and in esters for turbojet lubricants; Also used as a flavor and fragrance, flotation agent, gasoline additive, herbicide, blossom thinner for apple and pear trees, sanitizer, and to peel fruits and vegetables; [HSDB] Used to make peroxides and greases, as a catalyst for alkyd resins, in insect attractants, and as a topical bactericide and fungicide medication; [CHEMINFO]

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] Highly irritating; [Merck Index] A strong skin irritant; [Hawley] A skin and eye irritant; [HSDB] May cause permanent eye damage, including blindness; [CHEMINFO] Safe when used as a flavoring agent in food; [JECFA] A corrosive substance that can cause injury to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; [MSDSonline]

Biomedical References

0.00165 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

Odor threshold = 3-9 ppm (detection); [HSDB] Odor threshold = "3.1 ppb (0.02 mg/m3) (detection); 0.25-0.5 ppb (0.0016-0.0032 mg/m3) (recognition); 0.7 ppb (0.0045 mg/m3) (100% recognition)" [CHEMINFO] VP from ChemIDplus;

Skin burns

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure:

• Farming (Pesticides)
• Painting (Pigments, Binders, and Biocides)
• Petroleum Production and Refining
• Using Disinfectants or Biocides