Butanoic Acid: Overview, Questions, Preparation

This chapter has multiple topics listed below:

Acids, Bases and Salts Acid Strength Difference between Acid and Bas...Examples of Bases Zinc carbonate Zinc Nitrate Aluminium Phosphate Aspartic Acid Butyric Acid Tannic acid Uses of Folic Acid Uses of Acetic Acid Lactic Acid formula Uses of Citric Acid Magnesium Nitrate Barium Iodide Dilute Acids Magnesium Phosphate Uses of Hydrochloric Acid List of Strong Acids Butanoic Acid Sodium Chlorate Barium Carbonate Chloroacetic Acid Magnesium Bicarbonate Red Cabbage Indicator Sodium Hexametaphosphate Zinc Hydroxide Potassium Iodate Peroxydisulfuric Acid Ph of Acids and Bases Potassium Bromate Weak Acid Examples Weak Bases Magnesium Hydroxide Monosodium Glutamate Potassium Hydroxide Nitrous Acid Henderson Hasselbalch Equation Difference between Alkali and B...Properties of Bases Sodium Citrate Ammonium Phosphate Chemical Indicators Chromic Acid Perchloric Acid Uses of Sodium Hydroxide Zinc Acetate

Jasleen Taneja

Updated on Jun 4, 2024 17:00 IST

Butanoic acid (C4H8O2) is most commonly known as Butyric acid. It was discovered in 1869 by Lieben and Rossil. It's an oily textured, colourless form of liquid. It has a rancid odour. It is a very common component of the chemical industry, and also, discovered in the mammalian gut. Butanoic acid contains salts and esters, which are also known as butyrates and benzoates. Butanoic acid is not widely present in nature. However, the esters present in this acid are widely spread throughout.

Some of the other common names for Butanoic Acids are n-Butanoic acid, butyric acid, and n-Butyric acid.

Carboxylic acid and butanoic acid can be used interchangeably, as they both react with bases and can affect metals and steel. The majority of it tastes like butter, but with an unpleasant odour or smell, as butanoic acid consists of 3-4 % of butter. The name Butyric acid itself is derived from butter due to the somewhat similar taste.

Table of Contents

Properties of Butanoic Acid
Chemical properties of Butanoic Acid
Uses of Butanoic Acid
Health Hazards Associated with Butanoic Acids
Butanoic Acid in Class 10
Illustrated Examples
2. In Butanoic acid, what is the active functional group?
FAQs on Butanoic Acid

Properties of Butanoic Acid

Chemical Formula	CH3CH2CH2-COOH
Molar Mass	88.11 g/mol
Density	960 kg/m³
Melting Point	-7.9 °C
Boiling Point	163.5 °C
Acidity	4.82
Refractive Index	1.398 (20 °C)

Chemical properties of Butanoic Acid

Butanoic acid and sodium hydroxide react with each other, and their reaction forms sodium salt, water, and carbon dioxide. The chemical reaction is as follows:

21C₄H₈O₂ + 20NaOH → 20NaC₄H₆O + 4CO₂ + 34H₂O

After reacting with water, it then forms acetic acid and ether, and the reaction is stated below:

C₄H₈O₂ + H₂O → CH₃COOH + C₂H₆O

Uses of Butanoic Acid

Butanoic acid is highly used in the manufacturing of medicines in pharmaceutical companies.
It is used in the manufacturing of perfumes, flavourings, and disinfectants.
It is widely used for food additives, and also, for the manufacturing of beer.
It is sometimes considered as an ingredient for detergents and cosmetic manufacturing.

Health Hazards Associated with Butanoic Acids

Accidentally inhaling this acid can cause some serious respiratory problems. The problems can damage a person's mucous membrane and cause nausea, vomiting. Severe trouble in swallowing is also a serious issue that can further lead to issues related to the stomach.

Butanoic Acid in Class 10

For the year 2021, the chapter of acid, bases and salts holds a weightage of 4 marks for the students of class 10th, including a short question on butanoic acid.

Illustrated Examples

1. What is the correct structural formula for Butanoic acid?

Answer: Following is the correct structural formula for Butanoic acid -

2. In Butanoic acid, what is the active functional group?

Answer: OH is the active functional group in Butanoic acid.

3. By looking at the compound mentioned below, what can you understand about it, given its relevance to IUPAC nomenclature: (CH₃)3CCH₂COOH.

Answer: The aforementioned compound is 3, 3-Dimethyl butanoic acid.

Image Source: NCERT

FAQs on Butanoic Acid

Q: What is the chemical formula of butanoic acid?

A: The chemical formula of butanoic acid is C 4 H 8 O 2.

Q: State some common functional groups of butanoic acid.

A: The most common functional group includes Hydroxyl (Alcohol) and Carbonyl (Aldehyde, Ketone, and Carboxylic acid).

Q: What are the uses of butanoic acid?

A: Butanoic acid can be used for multiple reasons, such as in the manufacturing of perfumes, food colouring, disinfectants, food additives, beer, medicines, detergents, etc.

Q: What is the ideal consumption of butanoic acid in a day?

A: Butanoic acid is present in several products. However, consumption intake varies from person to person. The most recommended intake is between 150-300 mg/day, as per the doctor’s recommendations.

Q: What is the acidity level of butanoic acid?

A: The acidity level of butanoic acid is 4.82.