Methyl hexanoate

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Methyl hexanoate is the methyl ester of hexanoic acid (caproic acid). It is a colorless liquid with a fruity, pineapple-like smell and is used in foods and perfumes.

Natural occurrence: It occurs naturally in many foods and is found in the cytoplasm of cells. It is present in potatoes, tomatoes, cheese, and some alcoholic beverages, and it acts as a plant metabolite.

Uses and production: It is produced in large quantities for use as a flavouring agent and as a fragrance ingredient. It is made by reacting methanol with hexanoic acid.

Safety and properties: It has relatively low acute toxicity in rats ( LD50 > 5 g/kg). It is flammable, with a flash point around 73°C. When heated, it can emit toxic fumes and can cause burns. Boiling point is about 149.5°C; density around 0.8846 g/mL; solubility in water about 1.3 mg/mL at 20°C; molar mass about 130 g/mol.