Isobutyric acid
CAS 79-31-2
EC 201-195-7
Formula C4H8O2
MW 88.11 g/mol
Organic Acids Personal Care & CosmeticsFood & NutritionBiotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals & Healthcare Flavoring & AcidulantCatalysispH Regulation & Buffering
Description
Isobutyric acid (CAS 79-31-2) is a short-chain carboxylic acid commercially known under names including isobutanoic acid, dimethylacetic acid, and FEMA 2222. It carries no E-number designation in the EU. The compound occurs naturally in certain fermented foods and plant materials.
In food and flavour applications, isobutyric acid contributes characteristic rancid-dairy and cheesy notes at controlled concentrations, functioning as a flavorant through direct sensory interaction with taste receptors. In pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, it serves as a pH buffer and reaction catalyst, where its pKa of approximately 4.84 makes it effective for maintaining acidic process conditions. Personal care formulators use it as a skin-conditioning agent in emollient systems.
Isobutyric acid is available in food-grade (FCC-compliant) and technical grades as a clear liquid. It is fully registered under REACH (EC 201-195-7) and classified under HS code 29156000. Procurement teams should confirm grade-specific documentation, including SDS and certificate of analysis, prior to ordering.
In food and flavour applications, isobutyric acid contributes characteristic rancid-dairy and cheesy notes at controlled concentrations, functioning as a flavorant through direct sensory interaction with taste receptors. In pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, it serves as a pH buffer and reaction catalyst, where its pKa of approximately 4.84 makes it effective for maintaining acidic process conditions. Personal care formulators use it as a skin-conditioning agent in emollient systems.
Isobutyric acid is available in food-grade (FCC-compliant) and technical grades as a clear liquid. It is fully registered under REACH (EC 201-195-7) and classified under HS code 29156000. Procurement teams should confirm grade-specific documentation, including SDS and certificate of analysis, prior to ordering.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | -47 °C |
| Boiling Point | 152-155 °C @ Press: 760 Torr |
| Density | 0.950 g/cm³ @ Temp: 20 °C |
| Flash Point | 132 °F |
| Appearance | clear colourless liquid |
| Color | Clear colorless |
| Odor | at 1.00 % in propylene glycol. acidic sour cheese dairy buttery rancid |
| Form | Liquid |
| Water Solubility | 210 g/L (20 ºC) |
| Vapor Pressure | 1.5 mm Hg ( 20 °C) |
| Refractive Index | n 20/D 1.393(lit.) |
| pH | 2.3 (500g/l, H2O, 25℃) |
| Log P | 1.1 at 25℃ |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Danger GHS07 GHS02 GHS05 GHS06
H
H226H301H302H311H312H314H318H335
P
P210P233P240P241P242P243P260P261P262P264P270P271P280P316P317P319P321P330P363P405P501P264+P265P301+P316P301+P317P302+P352P304+P340P361+P364P362+P364P370+P378P403+P233P403+P235P301+P330+P331P302+P361+P354P303+P361+P353P305+P354+P338
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29156000 |
| UN Number | 2529 |
| ADR Class | 3 |
| Packing Group | III |
| Storage Class | 3 - Flammable liquids |
| WGK (Germany) | 1 |
Other Names
iso-C3H7COOHi-butyric acid2-methylpropanoic acidIsobutanoic acidiso-Butyric acidDimethylacetic acid
Related Products
Raw Materials
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