Showing chemical card for Hexaconic acid (CFc000333375)
Record Information
Version
1.0
Creation Date
Update Date
2022-09-14 05:13:24 UTC
Chemfont ID
CFc000333375
Molecule Identification
Common Name
Hexaconic acid
Definition
Hexanoic acid, also known as hexanoate or caproic acid, is a member of the class of compounds known as medium-chain fatty acids. Medium-chain fatty acids are fatty acids with an aliphatic tail that contains between 4 and 12 carbon atoms. Thus, hexanoic acid is considered to be a fatty acid lipid molecule. Hexanoic acid is slightly soluble (in water) and a very weakly acidic compound (based on its pKa). Hexanoic acid can be found in a number of food items such as squashberry, garland chrysanthemum, other cereal product, and pulses, which makes hexanoic acid a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Hexanoic acid can be found primarily in most biofluids, including sweat, blood, urine, and saliva. Hexanoic acid exists in all living species, ranging from bacteria to humans. In humans, hexanoic acid is involved in a couple of metabolic pathways, which include beta oxidation of very long chain fatty acids and fatty acid biosynthesis. Hexanoic acid is also involved in a couple of metabolic disorders, which include mitochondrial beta-oxidation of short chain saturated fatty acids and short-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-coa dehydrogenase deficiency (SCHAD). Moreover, hexanoic acid is found to be associated with medium Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency. Hexanoic acid is a non-carcinogenic (not listed by IARC) potentially toxic compound. Hexanoic acid (caproic acid) is the carboxylic acid derived from hexane with the chemical formula CH 3(CH 2) 4COOH. It is a colorless oily liquid with an odor that is fatty, cheesy, waxy, and like that of goats or other barnyard animals. It is a fatty acid found naturally in various animal fats and oils, and is one of the chemicals that give the decomposing fleshy seed coat of the ginkgo its characteristic unpleasant odor. It is also one of the components of vanilla. The primary use of hexanoic acid is in the manufacture of its esters for artificial flavors, and in the manufacture of hexyl derivatives, such as hexylphenols .
Belongs to the class of organic compounds known as medium-chain fatty acids. These are fatty acids with an aliphatic tail that contains between 4 and 12 carbon atoms.
