Butyric Acid

C₄H₈O₂

IUPAC: Butanoic acid

CAS: 107-92-6

Overview

Butyric acid is a short-chain fatty acid with an intensely unpleasant rancid butter odor. It occurs naturally in butter and is important for gut health.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Hydrogen H 8 1.0080
Carbon C 4 12.0110
Oxygen O 2 15.9990

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×8
9.2%
C
Carbon ×4
54.5%
O
Oxygen ×2
36.3%

Uses

  • • Food flavoring
  • • Pharmaceutical intermediate
  • • Animal feed supplement

Fun Facts

  • ✦ Responsible for the smell of rancid butter and vomit

Safety

  • ⚠ Corrosive
  • ⚠ Causes severe burns
  • ⚠ Extremely malodorous

Structure

SMILES

CCCC(=O)O

Properties

Type
organic
State
liquid
Molar Mass
88.11 g/mol
Density
0.9600 g/cm³
Melting Point
-5.1 °C
Boiling Point
163.8 °C
Solubility
miscible

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
88.0524
XLogP
0.8
TPSA
37.3 Ų
H-Bond Donors
1
H-Bond Acceptors
2
Rotatable Bonds
2
Heavy Atoms
6
Complexity
49.0

Related Compounds

1,2-Dichloroethane

C₂H₄Cl₂

1,3-Butadiene

C₄H₆

1,4-Dioxane

C₄H₈O₂

1-Butanol

C₄H₁₀O

2-Propanol

C₃H₈O

Acetaldehyde

CH₃CHO

Acetamide

C₂H₅NO

Acetic Anhydride

C₄H₆O₃

Acetone

(CH₃)₂CO

Acetonitrile

C₂H₃N

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Butyric Acid?
Butyric Acid (C₄H₈O₂) is a organic compound with the IUPAC name Butanoic acid.
What is the molecular weight of Butyric Acid?
Butyric Acid has a molar mass of 88.11 g/mol.
What state is Butyric Acid at room temperature?
Butyric Acid is a liquid at room temperature.
Is Butyric Acid organic or inorganic?
Butyric Acid is classified as an organic compound.
What elements make up Butyric Acid?
Butyric Acid (C₄H₈O₂) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Oxygen (O).