Butanoic acid
Butanoic acid is an organic compound with the molecular formula C4H8O2.
- Formula
- C4H8O2
- Functional group
- Carboxylic acids
- Molar mass
- 88.11 g/mol
- Also known as
- butyric acid, n-Butyric acid, n-Butanoic acid, propylformic acid, ethylacetic acid, 1-propanecarboxylic acid
Overview
Butanoic acid is an organic compound with the molecular formula C4H8O2.
Identifiers
- Formula
- C4H8O2
- Functional group
- Carboxylic acids
- Molar mass
- 88.11 g/mol
- Also known as
- butyric acid, n-Butyric acid, n-Butanoic acid, propylformic acid, ethylacetic acid, 1-propanecarboxylic acid
Chemical identifiers
- SMILES
- CCCC(=O)O
- InChI
- InChI=1S/C4H8O2/c1-2-3-4(5)6/h2-3H2,1H3,(H,5,6)
- PubChem CID
- 264
Properties
- Melting Point
- -7.9 °C
- Boiling Point
- 163.5 °C
- Relative density (water = 1)
- Relative density (water = 1): 0.96
- Water solubility
- In water, 6.00X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C
Related compounds
- Carboxylic acids
Butanoic acid is an organic compound with the molecular formula C4H8O2.
Connected reactions
- Aldehyde oxidation: Butanal → Butanoic acid
The hydrated aldehyde is oxidised to a carboxyl group. All four starting carbon atoms remain together in butanoic acid.
- Esterification: Butanoic acid → Ethyl butyrate
Ethanol oxygen bonds to the acid carbonyl carbon, followed by proton transfer and water loss. The product joins a butanoyl fragment to an ethoxy group.
- Acid hydrolysis: Ethyl butyrate → Butanoic acid
Water attack and proton transfers permit the ethoxy fragment to leave as ethanol. Re-forming the carbonyl produces butanoic acid on the other branch.
References
- PubChem Compound Summary: Butanoic acid (CID 264)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Butanoic acid — melting pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/264#section=Melting-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: O'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. 13th Edition, Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 2001., p. 268
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Butanoic acid — boiling pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/264#section=Boiling-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: O'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. 13th Edition, Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 2001., p. 268
- ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs): Butanoic acid — densityILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/264#section=Density. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred.
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Butanoic acid — solubilityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/264#section=Solubility. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Hemphill L, Swanson WS; Proc of the 18th Industrial Waste Conf, Eng Bull Purdue U, Lafayette, IN 18:204-17 (1964)