nonanoates

Nonanoates are salts or esters of nonanoic acid, also known as pelargonic acid. Nonanoic acid is a saturated fatty acid with nine carbon atoms and the chemical formula CH3(CH2)7COOH. Nonanoates can exist as either ionic compounds (salts) where the carboxyl group has lost a proton, or as organic compounds (esters) where the carboxyl group has reacted with an alcohol.

In their salt form, nonanoates typically involve a metal cation, such as sodium nonanoate or potassium nonanoate. These salts can be used as surfactants and emulsifiers in various industrial applications. For instance, they can be found in detergents, soaps, and cleaning products due to their ability to reduce surface tension and help mix oil and water.

As esters, nonanoates are formed through the esterification reaction between nonanoic acid and an alcohol. The properties of nonanoate esters vary depending on the specific alcohol used. Some nonanoate esters are utilized as solvents, plasticizers, or intermediates in the synthesis of other chemicals. They can also find applications in the fragrance industry, contributing to certain scents in perfumes and cosmetics. The natural occurrence of nonanoic acid and its derivatives is in some plant oils, such as geranium oil, which gives rise to the alternative name "pelargonic acid."