| The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07. |
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| butyric acid |
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(by t r´k) (KEY) or butanoic acid (byt n ´k) (KEY) , CH3CH2CH2CO2H, viscous, foul-smelling, liquid carboxylic acid; m.p. about -5°C; b.p. 163.5°C. It is miscible with water, ethanol, and ether. It is a low molecular weight fatty acid that is present in butter as an ester of glycerol; the odor of rancid butter is due largely to the presence of free butyric acid. Butyric acid is used in the manufacture of plastics. Isobutyric acid, or 2-methylpropanoic acid, (CH3)2CHCO2H, is a geometric isomer of the butyric acid described above; it has different physical properties but similar chemical properties. |
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| | | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2007 Columbia University Press. |
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