Ingredient Dictionary

PELARGONIC ACID

Nonanoic acid is a C9 straight-chain saturated fatty acid which occurs naturally as esters of the oil of pelargonium.

Definition

Nonanoic acid is a C9 straight-chain saturated fatty acid which occurs naturally as esters of the oil of pelargonium. Has antifungal properties, and is also used as a herbicide as well as in the preparation of plasticisers and lacquers. It has a role as an antifeedant, a plant metabolite, a Daphnia magna metabolite and an algal metabolite. It is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid and a medium-chain fatty acid. It is a conjugate acid of a nonanoate. It derives from a hydride of a nonane.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 97SEH7577T · registered name PELARGONIC ACID · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Mixes and holds oil and water togetherSURFACTANT - EMULSIFYINGGives the product a scentPERFUMINGWashes away surface impuritiesCLEANSINGListed as a fragrance-composition material (not a claim that it adds scent)FRAGRANCE

Safety & regulatory references

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

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Reviewed by CIR: Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel on the safety assessment of Pelargonic Acid (nonanoic acid) and nonanoate esters

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

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

Names & identifiers

PELARGONIC ACIDINCI펠라고닉애씨드Korean label name (MFDS standard)Nonanoic acidSynonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 112-05-0
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 203-931-2
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID3021641
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID901641

IUPAC: Nonanoic acid
Molecular formula: C9H18O2
Molecular weight: 158.241 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Liquid, Large Crystals · Colorless or yellowish liquid, mp = 12.5 deg C, [Hawley]
Odour: FATTY ODOR · COCONUT AROMA
Boiling point: 254.5 °C · Boiling point = 255.6 °C
Melting point: 12.4 °C · 12.3 °C
Solubility: Soluble in ethanol, chloroform, ether · 1:8 IN 50% ALCOHOL, 1:3 IN 60% ALCOHOL, INSOL IN WATER, SOL IN MOST ORG SOLVENTS
Density: 0.9052 g/cu cm at 20 °C · 0.901-0.906
Viscosity: 8.08 mPa.sec at 20 °C · 7.00 cP (25℃)
Dissociation constant: pKa = 4.95 at 25 °C
Colour: colourless
Odour threshold: 3 ppm (3~9)
Melting/freezing point: 12 ℃(ca.)
Initial boiling point and range: 249~271 ℃ (1013.25 hPa)
Flash point: 133 ℃(ca.)
Vapour pressure: (ca. 0.22hPa at 50℃)
Water solubility: (ca. 0.03 vol% 25℃)
Vapour density: 5.45
Relative density: 0.904 (20℃)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 2.84 (ca.)
Auto-ignition temperature: 405 ℃
Molecular weight: 158.27

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 16 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.

Flavouring and nutrient2
No specific technical function2
Fragrance2
Biocide2
Soil amendments2
Emulsifier1
Cleaning agent1
Monomers1

3 other uses

Deodorizer1
Intermediate1
Lubricating agent1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

9 skin studies and 4 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 13 studies

Skin Irrit. 2
Skin Irritation · Authoritative
Category 8.2C (Category 1C)
Skin Irritation · Read Across
Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 2
Skin Irritation · Screening
Classification not possible
Skin Sensitization · Screening
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
Severe Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · EU Method B.4 (Acute Toxicity: Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Ambiguous
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 429 (Skin Sensitisation: Local Lymph Node Assay)
Category 2
Skin Irritation · Screening
Category 8.3A (Category 1)
Eye Irritation · Read Across
Eye Irrit. 2
Eye Irritation · Authoritative
Serious eye damage/eye irritation - Category 2
Eye Irritation · Screening
Category 2A
Eye Irritation · Screening