Molekula
Octanoic acid (Caprylic acid)
Supplying 4,500+ customers in over 80 countries
ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015 certified · Supplying laboratories and industry since 2000 · Listed pack sizes are a starting point — we manufacture, source and repack to the quantity you need
Octanoic acid, also known as caprylic acid, is a saturated medium-chain fatty acid used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food additives. It functions as a preservative, emulsifier, and intermediate in chemical synthesis. Available with CAS number 124-07-2, molecular formula CH3(CH2)6COOH, and molecular weight 144.21 g/mol, it is stable at ambient storage conditions. Hazard classification includes signal word Danger. Molekula supplies Octanoic acid from research to bulk quantities with full documentation and ISO 9001:2015 traceability.
Example image for illustration only. Other packaging and pack sizes are available.
Pricing & pack sizes
These pack sizes aren't a limit. Molekula manufactures, sources and repacks to order — if you need 500 kg and only see 1 kg listed, . We quote from grams to multi-tonne.
Need a different size? Add the nearest pack and change the size in your basket — we price it at the same rate per unit.
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500 g — £35.10 per pack ex VAT · £42.12 inc. VAT
Need a different quantity or pack?
Tell us how much you need and when — drums, IBCs, sacks or a one-off bulk lot. We'll manufacture or source it and come back with a price.
Prices exclude VAT/sales tax and shipping.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless oily liquid |
| Refractive Index | 1.425 - 1.430 |
| Colour (Pt-Co) | ≤ 50 |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in hot water, ethanol and glycerol. |
| Purity | ≥ 99.0% |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤ 0.1% (10g) |
| Moisture | ≤ 0.2% |
| Relative density | 0.908 - 0.913 (25°C) |
| Identification (IR) | Conforms to Reference |
| Iodine value (g I2/100g) | ≤ 0.5gI2/100g |
| Saponification Value (mgKOH/g) | 384 - 391mgKOH/g |
| Acid Value (mg KOH/g) | 383 - 390mgKOH/g |
Storage & handling
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | Ambient |
| Transport Class | 8 |
| Packing Group | III |
| Acidity | Acid |
Literature values
Published physical properties of the substance, not batch specifications.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Solidifies to leafy crystals when cold |
| Odour | Faint, fruity-acid odor |
| Melting Point | 16.3 °C |
| Boiling Point | 239 °C |
| Water Solubility | 789 mg/L at 30 °C |
| Solubility (other solvents) | Slightly soluble in water; soluble in most organic solvents |
| Vapour Pressure | 3.71 × 10⁻³ mmHg at 25 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.4285 |
| pKa | pKa = 4.89 (at 25 °C) |
| log P (octanol/water) | 3.05 |
Source: PubChem CID 379 (HSDB, DrugBank, Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA))
Identification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | 64200302 |
| CAS Number | 124-07-2 |
| IUPAC Name | octanoic acid |
| EC Number | 204-677-5 |
| Molecular Formula | CH3(CH2)6COOH |
| Molecular Weight | 144.21 |
| Exact Mass | 144.115 |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCC(=O)O |
| InChIKey | WWZKQHOCKIZLMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| InChI | InChI=1S/C8H16O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8(9)10/h2-7H2,1H3,(H,9,10) |
| PubChem CID | 379 |
| UN Number | UN3265 |
| REACH Code | Y110 |
| TSCA Listed | Yes |
| HTS Code | 29159018 |
| Tariff Code | 2915907098 |
Safety & GHS
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Corrosive
GHS05
Hazard statements
- H314 (sub cat. 1C) Causes severe skin burns and eye damage
- H318 Causes serious eye damage
- H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Precautionary statements
- P260 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray
- P273 Avoid release to the environment
- P280 Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection
- P303+361 IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse with water/shower
- P304+340 IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing
- P305+351+338 IF IN EYES: Rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing
Documents
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Available in English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish.
Certificate of Analysis (CoA) by batch
Enter a lot or batch number to retrieve the CoA for that specific batch. We can generate one from spec data if no PDF is on file.
Synonyms
- 1-heptanecarboxylic acid
- caprylic acid
- Enantic acid
- n-caprylic acid
- n-octanoic acid
- n-Octoic acid
- n-octylic acid
- octanoic acid
- octoic acid
- Octylic acid
Frequently asked questions
What is octanoic acid used for?
Octanoic acid is used in the synthesis of esters for fragrances and flavors, as a plasticizer, and in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations.
What is the chemical formula and molecular weight of octanoic acid?
The formula is CH3(CH2)6COOH with a molecular weight of 144.21 g/mol.
How should octanoic acid be stored?
Store at ambient temperature, away from moisture and incompatible materials.
What grade is available for octanoic acid?
Available in technical and reagent grades; specific grades may vary by order volume.
Can Molekula supply octanoic acid in bulk?
Yes, Molekula can supply octanoic acid in bulk quantities; please contact sales for pricing and availability.
What documentation comes with an order of octanoic acid?
Each order includes a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS); additional documentation can be provided upon request.
Ready to order or need a custom pack?
Tell us the product, grade, and quantity — Molekula usually responds within one working day with pricing and lead time.