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Pelargonic acid

Author:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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Synonym(s)

CAS number 112-05-0; Nonanoic acid; Octanecarboxylic acid; pelargonic acid (INCI)

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Pelargonic acid (from Greek pelargos = stork, after the fruit of the pelargonium similar to a stork's bill) is a colourless liquid, only poorly soluble in water, easily soluble in ethanol, with a slightly rancid, faint odour, with the molecular formula C9H18O2 and the linear formula CH3-(CH2)7-COOH.

The pelargonic acid, also called nonanoic acid, is a saturated fatty acid (carboxylic acid) derived from the alkane "n-nonane". The salts or esters of pelargonic acid are called pelargonates or nonanoates.

Occurrence: Pelargonic acid occurs as an ester in the leaves of Pelargonium roseum. Furthermore it is found in hop oil, rose oil. Pelargonic acid is also found in human skin. It develops from the omega-9 fatty acids e.g. oleic acid or erucic acid.

Field of application/useThis section has been translated automatically.

Pelargonic acid is used in cosmetic formulations under the INCI designation "pelargonic acid". It acts as a solvent.

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer