hexanoic acid

[ hek-suh-noh-ik, hek-suh- ]

noun

1. caproic acid.

hexanoic acid

/ ˌhɛksəˈnəʊɪk /

noun

1. an insoluble oily carboxylic acid found in coconut and palm oils and in milk. Formula: C 5 H 11 COOH

Word History and Origins

Origin of hexanoic acid¹

First recorded in 1925–30; hexane + -o- + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of hexanoic acid¹

C20: from hexane + -oic

Example Sentences

When Keasling’s team added different chemicals into their yeast’s sugary diet, the genetically modified microbes incorporated those substances instead of the hexanoic acid, resulting in new, never-before-seen compounds.

From Scientific American