C11H23COONa

C11H23COONa, also known as sodium undecanoate, is a sodium salt of undecanoic acid. It is a white to off-white crystalline powder that is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol. The compound is commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry as a buffering agent and in the food industry as a preservative and emulsifier. It is also used in the production of soaps and detergents due to its surfactant properties. Sodium undecanoate is generally considered safe for use in food and pharmaceutical applications when used within established guidelines. However, like any chemical compound, it should be handled with care to avoid skin and eye irritation. The compound is typically produced through the neutralization reaction of undecanoic acid with sodium hydroxide. Its chemical structure consists of an undecanoic acid molecule with a sodium ion replacing the hydrogen atom of the carboxylic acid group. The molecular formula C11H23COONa reflects this structure, with 11 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, 23 hydrogen atoms, and the sodium ion and the carboxylate group from the acid.