Hendecanoic acid

Description

Undecanoic acid is a saturated fatty acid containing eleven carbons (C11:0). It is cytotoxic to certain filamentous fungi and is used to study fungal mechanisms of resistance. Undecanoic acid is also used to acylate larger molecules.

Chemical properties

white to pale yellowish low melting solid

Chemical properties

Undecanoic acid has a faint fatty, aldehydic odor.

Occurrence

Occurs naturally in butter and in the oil of Artemisisa frigida Willd.; also reported found in the oils of Chamaecyparis pisifera Engl., wild thyme, Thymus marschollianus and coconut. Also reported found in apple, banana, sour cherry, lemon and mandarin peel oil, grapefruit juice, guava, grapes, papaya, many cheeses, milk powder, chicken and beef fat, cooked mutton, cured pork, beer, cognac, rum, whiskies, white wine, tea, coconut milk, beans, licorice, mango, mushrooms, rice, sake, wort, loquat, scallop and maté.

The Uses of Hendecanoic acid

Intermediates of Liquid Crystals

The Uses of Hendecanoic acid

Undecanoic Acid is a saturated fatty acid. It may be used to activate orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR40.

The Uses of Hendecanoic acid

Undecanoic acid was used in the formation of cycloamylose crystals.

Definition

ChEBI: A straight-chain, eleven-carbon saturated medium-chain fatty acid found in body fluids; the most fungitoxic of the C7:0 - C18:0 fatty acid series.

Preparation

Hendecanoic acid can be produced by reduction of Undecylenic acid, which is generally obtained from Castor oil.

Aroma threshold values

Detection: 10 ppb

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 20 ppm: waxy, creamy, cheese-like with a fatty dairy mouthfeel.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Tetrahedron Letters, 30, p. 5293, 1989 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(01)93768-2

General Description

White crystalline solid. Insoluble in water. Specific gravity 0.85. Hence floats on water.

Air & Water Reactions

Dust explosion is possible. [USCG, 1999]. Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

A weak carboxylic acid. Neutralizes bases with the evolution of substantial amounts of heat to produce water plus a salt. Reacts with solutions of cyanides to cause the release of gaseous hydrogen cyanide. Can generate flammable and/or toxic gases and heat by reaction with diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, isocyanates, mercaptans, nitrides, and sulfides. Reacts in with aqueous solutions of nitrites and thiosulfates (to give H2S and SO3) and dithionites (to give SO2) and heat. Reaction with solutions of carbonates and bicarbonates generate a harmless gas (carbon dioxide) but still heat. Can be oxidized by strong oxidizing agents and reduced by strong reducing agents. These reactions generate heat. May initiate polymerization reactions. May serve as a catalyst.

Health Hazard

May be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. Material is irritating to mucous membrane and upper respiratory tract. Causes eye and skin irritation.

Fire Hazard

Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Dust explosion is possible.