Butanoate
Butanoate is the term used for the conjugate base of butanoic acid, or for salts and esters derived from this carboxylate group. In common usage, butanoate refers to the butanoate ion (C3H7COO−) or to salts such as sodium butanoate and potassium butanoate. Butanoate esters, where the butanoate group is bonded to an alkyl alcohol, include methyl butanoate, ethyl butanoate, propyl butanoate, and butyl butanoate. The acidity of butanoic acid is modest (pKa around 4.8); its salts are typically water-soluble, while butanoate esters are nonionic compounds that can be hydrolyzed to yield butanoic acid and the corresponding alcohol under acidic or basic conditions.
Occurrence and biological relevance: butanoate is produced by the fermentation of dietary fiber by intestinal microbiota
Synthesis and applications: butanoate salts form when butanoic acid is neutralized with a base. Esterification of
Safety: exposure to butanoic acid or concentrated esters can irritate skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract;