4-Nonanoylmorpholine

4-Nonanoylmorpholine is a chemical compound used as a penetration enhancer that aids the absorption of drugs through the skin. It is a morpholine derivative, specifically, a fatty acid morpholine ester.

Chemical Structure

4-Nonanoylmorpholine is a morpholine ester resulting from the formal condensation of the carboxy group of nonanoic acid with the amino group of morpholine. It has a role as a penetration enhancer. It derives from a morpholine.

Uses

The primary use of 4-Nonanoylmorpholine is as a penetration enhancer in the formulation of topical and transdermal drug products. It works by temporarily reducing the skin's barrier function, allowing more of the drug to penetrate and be absorbed into the body. This can increase the effectiveness of the drug and reduce the amount needed for a therapeutic effect.

Safety

4-Nonanoylmorpholine has been extensively studied for safety and is generally considered safe for use in pharmaceutical formulations. However, as with any chemical, it can cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. It is always recommended to test a small amount of any new product on a small area of skin before widespread use.

See Also

• Morpholine
• Nonanoic acid
• Penetration enhancer
• Transdermal drug delivery