C9H16O2

C9H16O2 is the molecular formula for several organic compounds, indicating the presence of nine carbon atoms, sixteen hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms. The arrangement of these atoms defines the specific chemical structure and properties of each isomer. Common functional groups associated with this formula include esters, carboxylic acids, and diketones, among others.

One notable compound with the formula C9H16O2 is pelargonic acid, also known as nonanoic acid. This is a saturated fatty acid with a nine-carbon chain. It is a colorless to white solid at room temperature with a distinct, somewhat unpleasant odor. Pelargonic acid is found naturally in some plants, such as geraniums, and is used in various industrial applications, including the production of herbicides, plasticizers, and synthetic lubricants. It can also be a byproduct of fatty acid metabolism.

Another possibility is that C9H16O2 represents an ester. Esters are formed from the reaction of an acid and an alcohol. The specific ester would depend on the parent acid and alcohol used. For example, nonyl acetate, an ester of nonanoic acid and acetic acid, would have the formula C11H22O2, so this specific example is incorrect. However, other combinations of acids and alcohols could yield C9H16O2. Isomers of this formula can also include cyclic compounds containing oxygen atoms. The precise identification of a compound with the molecular formula C9H16O2 requires knowledge of its specific structure or systematic name.