3allylpropanoic

3allylpropanoic acid, also known as pent-4-enoic acid, is a carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C6H10O2. It is a linear molecule containing a five-carbon chain, a terminal double bond at the fourth carbon, and a carboxylic acid group at the first carbon. The allyl group is attached to the third carbon of the propanoic acid backbone.

This compound is a colorless liquid at room temperature and is soluble in organic solvents. Its chemical structure makes it a bifunctional molecule, possessing both alkene and carboxylic acid functionalities. These reactive groups allow it to participate in a variety of chemical reactions. The double bond can undergo addition reactions, while the carboxylic acid group can undergo esterification, amidation, and salt formation.

3allylpropanoic acid can be synthesized through several methods, including the oxidation of corresponding alcohols or aldehydes, or via reactions involving unsaturated precursors. It finds applications as a building block in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of polymers and pharmaceuticals. Its bifunctional nature allows for the introduction of both a carboxylic acid moiety and an unsaturated chain into larger molecules, which can then be further functionalized. The presence of the double bond also offers opportunities for polymerization or cross-linking reactions.