Ester intermediates
Butyric acid is used to make butyrate esters for specified fragrance and flavor applications. [3]
01
THE ESSENTIALS
Butyric Acid in 30 Seconds
Three carbons form a chain attached to one –COOH group. Despite having four carbon atoms, it does not have the two acidic ends of succinic acid.
Butyric acid is the straight-chain four-carbon monocarboxylic acid. It is a starting material for butyrate derivatives and a distinct product from branched isobutyric acid or butyrate salts. [1] [3]
A condensed structural formula keeps the functional groups visible. [1]
Industrial derivatives
Used in chemistry involving cellulose derivatives and other specified intermediates.. [3]
Research chemistry
Butyrate-related research needs explicit chemical form and experimental conditions. [3]
Commercial availability
The supplier section separates package size, assay, grade, and market context for three named products. [4]
02
GO A LITTLE DEEPER
Understanding Butyric Acid
THE SIMPLE EXPLANATION
The functional groups
Three carbons form a chain attached to one –COOH group. Despite having four carbon atoms, it does not have the two acidic ends of succinic acid. [1]
A LITTLE DEEPER
What the structure changes
A butyrate salt and a butyrate ester differ from free butyric acid. Discussions of biological butyrate or ester flavor applications should not be read as claims about using concentrated free acid. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Technical detail Identity, dissociation & specification
The Sigma specification labels GC purity as area percent. That is a measurement basis, not an automatically interchangeable mass-fraction assay. The page uses the straight-chain identity CAS 107-92-6. [1] [2] [4] [5] [6]
Acid–base reference values describe equilibria under specified conditions. They are not a substitute for a validated formulation or an assay on the purchased lot.
03
MAKE THE CONNECTION
How Butyric Acid Compares
Similar names and functional groups do not mean interchangeable chemicals.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON
Butyric Acid vs Propionic Acid
Aliphatic monocarboxylic acid
versusAliphatic monocarboxylic acid
Fixed comparison for this prototype. Acid selectors are disabled; additional comparisons are coming later.
| Property | Butyric Acid | Propionic Acid |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C₄H₈O₂ [1] | C₃H₆O₂ [7] |
| Molecular weight | 88.11 g/mol [1] | 74.08 g/mol [7] |
| Carbon atoms | 4 [1] | 3 [7] |
| Carboxyl groups | 1 [1] | 1 [7] |
| Structure | CH₃–CH₂–CH₂–COOH [1] | CH₃–CH₂–COOH [7] |
| Chemical family | Aliphatic monocarboxylic acid [1] | Aliphatic monocarboxylic acid [7] |
| Identity focus | Liquid [1] | Liquid [7] |
| pKa context | 4.82 (25 °C) [2] | 4.88 (compiled; conditions unspecified) [11] |
Chemical identities are compared here; supplier grades, concentrations, and stereochemical specifications are separate purchasing attributes. pKa values retain their stated conditions; no quantitative solubility ranking is implied.
When Might You Choose One Instead of the Other?
Choose butyric acid for the specified straight-chain butyrate route. Choose propionic acid for a propionate route. In research, establish whether the protocol needs free acid or a particular salt and counterion. [1] [3] [7]
Specified starting material
Butyric Acid
Match CH₃–CH₂–CH₂–COOH and the method’s required chemical form.
Propionic Acid
Match CH₃–CH₂–COOH; verify the identity before substituting a related acid.
Before choosing: match the reaction or formulation, then verify the exact form, grade, assay basis, and impurities. These contexts do not establish suitability for an industrial or regulated application.
04
FROM STRUCTURE TO APPLICATION
What Is Butyric Acid Used For?
Ester intermediates
Butyric acid is used to make butyrate esters for specified fragrance and flavor applications. These applications concern the derivative, not direct use of the free acid. [3]
Industrial derivatives
Used in chemistry involving cellulose derivatives and other specified intermediates. [3]
Research chemistry
Butyrate-related research needs explicit chemical form and experimental conditions. A salt-based protocol cannot be silently replaced with the free acid. [3]
06
SOURCE WITH CONTEXT
Butyric Acid Suppliers
Compare specific products and package options. Listings are not ranked recommendations.
3 suppliers · 3 products · 6 package listingsLatest supplier check: October 3, 2026
Package sizes stay grouped under the supplier product. Assay methods, product forms, and regional markets remain visible. Specify straight-chain acid versus isobutyric acid or butyrate salt; retain GC area-percent basis.
Scroll horizontally if needed. Supplier and package identity stay visible.
| Supplier | Product / Grade | Purity / Assay | Package Size | Public Price | Normalized Price | Documentation | Last Checked | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma-AldrichButyric Acid | For synthesis8004570100 | ≥99% (GC; area %) | 100 mL | $37.60USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
| View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, 8004570100 (opens new tab) | |
| For synthesis8004571000 | ≥99% (GC; area %) | 1 L | $64.50USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, 8004571000 (opens new tab) | |||
| TCIButyric Acid | Check supplierB0754 | >99.0% (GC and titration) | 25 mL | $17.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: TCI
| View Product: TCI, B0754 (opens new tab) | |
| Check supplierB0754 | >99.0% (GC and titration) | 500 mL | $29.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: TCI, B0754 (opens new tab) | |||
| FUJIFILM WakoButyric Acid | Wako Special Grade029-05393 | ≥98.0% (capillary GC) | 25 mL | $45.00USD · US list price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
| View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 029-05393 (opens new tab) | |
| Wako Special Grade023-05396 | ≥98.0% (capillary GC) | 500 mL | $61.00USD · US list price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 023-05396 (opens new tab) |
Sigma-Aldrich
Butyric Acid
For synthesis
100 mL
8004570100- Public price
- $37.60USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
1 L
8004571000- Public price
- $64.50USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
TCI
Butyric Acid
Check supplier
25 mL
B0754- Public price
- $17.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 mL
B0754- Public price
- $29.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: TCI
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
FUJIFILM Wako
Butyric Acid
Wako Special Grade
25 mL
029-05393- Public price
- $45.00USD · US list price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 mL
023-05396- Public price
- $61.00USD · US list price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
Documentation evidence
COA = Certificate of Analysis · SDS = Safety Data Sheet · COO = Certificate of Origin.
Lookup means a retrieval option was visible, not that a lot certificate was reviewed. Check supplier means availability or the applicable document was not verified.
Prices may vary by quantity, account, contract, geography, and availability. These products have different grades, assay bases, or forms; no normalized comparison is shown. Foreign-market prices are reference listings only. No currency conversion, mass-to-volume conversion, or ranking is applied. Confirm equivalent specifications and a current quote before comparison. [4] [5] [6]
Verification limits & placement policy
Conflicting TCI water-solubility descriptions need manual review. Supplier assays use different methods and bases.
Only the displayed identity, specification, packages, public prices and stated documentation evidence were reviewed. Current stock, lead times, shipping eligibility, contract pricing, lot certificates, and regulatory suitability are unverified.
There are no paid placements. Future paid listings will show “Sponsored” in both views; payment will not determine chemistry interpretation or imply a ranking.
07
PLAN A LARGER ORDER
Need Butyric Acid in Bulk?
Turn your requirements into a clear supplier brief.
Bulk RFQ feature — coming soon. Prototype form: submissions are not currently sent to suppliers. Use sample details to prepare an on-screen brief.
Prepare a bulk request Prototype form
08
A BUYER’S CHECKLIST
Before You Buy Butyric Acid
Selections remain only while this page is open.
09
FOR YOUR REFERENCE
Butyric Acid Technical Reference
Identity, product reference properties, and handling context.
Identification Names, formula & identifiers
- Principal CAS
- 107-92-6
- Identity focus
- Liquid
- Formula
- C₄H₈O₂
- Molecular weight
- 88.11 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- butanoic acid
- Connectivity SMILES
- CCCC(=O)O
- PubChem CID
- 264
Connectivity SMILES describes connectivity; it is not an independent stereochemical assignment. CAS and product-form distinctions are supported by the supplier listings. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Physical Properties Product references & conditions
Sigma reports melting range −8 to −5 °C and boiling range 162–165 °C at 1013 mbar. TCI simultaneously describes complete water miscibility and 56.4 g/L at 25 °C; these statements conflict and no solubility ranking is made. [4] [5] [6]
Hydrate, concentration, stereoisomer, and temperature can change the relevant specification. Product reference data are not a reviewed lot certificate.
Acid/Base Properties Verified values & missing data
Reference pKa: 4.82 (25 °C). [2]
Conflicting TCI water-solubility descriptions need manual review. Supplier assays use different methods and bases.
Temperature, ionic strength, and the use of activities versus concentrations matter in quantitative work. These reference values are not buffer recipes.
Safety Product-specific SDS
Review the current SDS for the exact product.
Match chemical form, concentration, region, and product code. Use its handling, storage, incompatibility, first-aid and disposal guidance alongside the workplace risk assessment.
A current regional SDS remains to be verified; the supplier documentation field says Check supplier. This profile is not a substitute for that document.
Review supplier documentation10
COMMON QUESTIONS
Butyric Acid FAQ
What distinguishes Butyric Acid?
Three carbons form a chain attached to one –COOH group. Despite having four carbon atoms, it does not have the two acidic ends of succinic acid. [1]
How does it differ from Propionic Acid?
Propionic acid is shorter by one carbon. The chain length changes the resulting carboxylate or ester identity, even though both are liquid monocarboxylic acids. [7]
What must a buyer specify?
Specify straight-chain acid versus isobutyric acid or butyrate salt; retain GC area-percent basis. [4]
Are the listed products directly price-comparable?
No. The table retains differing grades, assay bases, forms, and markets. No normalized ranking or currency conversion is applied. [5]
What reference data still need checking?
Conflicting TCI water-solubility descriptions need manual review. Supplier assays use different methods and bases. [6]
Can I request a bulk quote here?
The RFQ is a prototype that prepares an on-screen brief. Nothing is sent to suppliers. Confirm actual bulk terms directly with the supplier. [4]
11
TRACE THE INFORMATION
Sources & Editorial Notes
Identity and compiled reference values are separated from supplier-specific specifications. Structural comparisons and buyer guidance are editorial interpretation. Sources were checked October 3, 2026; supplier information can change.
- PubChem · chemical identity (opens new tab)
Official PUG REST identity record: formula, molecular weight, IUPAC name, and connectivity SMILES.
- PubChem · dissociation references (opens new tab)
Compiled reference entries; their methods and conditions matter. Citric acid’s displayed stepwise values are from the linked Sigma specification.
- PubChem · applications (opens new tab)
Compiled application references; uses of derivatives are distinguished from direct use of the acid.
- Sigma-Aldrich · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- TCI · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- FUJIFILM Wako · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- Propionic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Primary comparison identity. Explanations of structural differences are editorial interpretation of verified identities.
- Acetic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Succinic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Lactic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Propionic Acid · acid–base reference (opens new tab)
The primary comparison’s pKa source; reference conditions are preserved.
- OpenStax · Citric acid cycle (opens new tab)
Succinate and fumarate in the citric acid cycle; salts/ions are distinguished from purchased free acids.
Review limits
Conflicting TCI water-solubility descriptions need manual review. Supplier assays use different methods and bases.
This informational prototype is not a supplier, quotation service, or endorsement of a product’s fitness for an application. Buyers should verify the applicable specification, certification, and regulatory requirements for their intended use.