Substance profile
Octanoic Acid
Octanoic Acid is solidifies to leafy crystals when cold with a faint, fruity-acid odor.
01 · Identification
What Octanoic Acid is
Octanoic Acid is solidifies to leafy crystals when cold with a faint, fruity-acid odor. It boils at 239 °C, melts at 16.5 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H412 | Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P273, P280, P301, P310, P331, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Octanoic Acid properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 239 °C (462.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 239.72 °C (463.5 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 240 °C (464 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| Melting point | 16.5 °C (61.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| 16.39 °C (61.5 °F) | range, midpoint shown | CAMEO | |
| Density | 0.91 g/cm³ | CAMEO | |
| 0.91 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible in ethanol, chloroform, acetonitrile | HSDB | |
| slightly soluble in water; soluble in most organic solvents | JECFA | ||
| Very slightly sol in water (0.068 g/100 g at 20 °C); freely sol in alcohol, chloroform, ether, carbon disulfide, petroleum ether, glacial acetic acid | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.0037 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 1 mmHg | at 78 °C | HSDB | |
| 1 mmHg | at 92.28 °C | CAMEO | |
| Flash point | 130 °C (266 °F) | open cup | HSDB |
| 132.22 °C (270 °F) | HSDB | ||
| 110 °C (230 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Combustible | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold | IT CAN BE DETECTED @ 0.008 PPM. | HSDB | |
| Aroma threshold values: Detection: 910 ppb to 19 ppm. | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold Low: 0.008 [ppm] | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Octanoic Acid
Storage conditions
Containers less than 1 gallon: Store in original container in areas inaccessible to children and persons unfamiliar with its proper use. Containers greater than 1 gallon: Do not contaminate water, food, feed by storage or disposal. ... Store this product in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight and heat../65 Disinfecting Heavy Duty Acid Bathroom Cleaner/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Octanoic Acid in the storage compatibility matrix →