Ingredient Dictionary

GAMMA-VALEROLACTONE

Gamma-valerolactone is a butan-4-olide that is dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one substituted by a methyl group at position 5.

Definition

Gamma-valerolactone is a butan-4-olide that is dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one substituted by a methyl group at position 5. It has been found in the urine samples of humans exposed to n-hexane. It has a role as a flavouring agent and a human xenobiotic metabolite.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII O7056XK37X · registered name .GAMMA.-VALEROLACTONE · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Gives the product a scentPERFUMING

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Names & identifiers

GAMMA-VALEROLACTONEINCI2(3H)-Furanone, dihydro-5-methyl-Synonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 108-29-2
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 203-569-5
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID0047618
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID8027618

IUPAC: 5-Methyloxolan-2-one
Molecular formula: C5H8O2
Molecular weight: 100.117 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Gamma-valerolactone is a clear, colorless, mobile liquid. pH (anhydrous): 7.0. pH (10% solution in distilled water): 4.2. (NTP, 1992) · Colorless liquid, [CAMEO]
Boiling point: 405 to 406 °F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992) · 207.00 to 208.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Melting point: -24 °F (NTP, 1992) · -31 °C
Solubility: greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992) · miscible with alcohol, most fixed oils and water
Density: 1.057 at 68 °F (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.047-1.054
Colour: Clear, colorless, mobile liquid. Heral odor.
Water solubility: 93810 ㎎/ℓ
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 0.11
Molecular weight: 100.13

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 9 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Fragrance7
Flavouring and nutrient2

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

1 skin studies and 0 eye studies are on record.

Classed as moderate1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 1 studies

SkinSens1
Skin Sensitization · QSAR Predicted