- Levulinic acid
Chembox new
Name = Levulinic acid
ImageFile = Levulinic acid.svg
ImageName =
IUPACName = 4-Oxopentanoic acid
OtherNames = Levulinic acid
Laevulinic acid
β-Acetylpropionic acid
3-Acetopropionic acid
Section1 = Chembox Identifiers
CASNo = 123-76-2
SMILES = OC(CCCC(C)=O)=O
Section2 = Chembox Properties
Formula = C5H8O3
MolarMass = 116.11 g/mol
Density = 1.1447 g/cm3
MeltingPt = 33-35 °C
BoilingPt = 245-246 °CLevulinic acid, or 4-oxopentanoic acid, is a white crystalline
keto acid prepared fromlevulose ,inulin ,starch , etc., by boiling them with dilute hydrochloric orsulfuric acid s. It is soluble in water,ethanol , anddiethyl ether , but essentially insoluble in aliphatichydrocarbon s.Levulinic acid is used in the manufacture of
nylon s, syntheticrubber s,plastic s, and pharmaceuticals. It is a precursor in the industrial production of other chemical commodities such asmethyltetrahydrofuran , valerolactone, andethyl levulinate . As well, Levulinic acid is used incigarette s to increasenicotine delivery in smoke and binding of nicotine to neural receptors. [Doris Cullen et al., "A Guide to Deciphering the Internal Codes Used by the Tobacco Industry", Harvard School of Public Health Division of Public Health Practice Tobacco Research Program, August 2005]References
* "Merck Index", 11th Edition, 5352.
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