Pivalic acid
Pivalic acid, also known as trimethylacetic acid, is a carboxylic acid with the formula (CH_3)_3CCO_2H. It is a branched-chain saturated fatty acid and is notable for its high degree of steric hindrance due to the presence of three methyl groups attached to the alpha carbon.
Chemical Properties[edit | edit source]
Pivalic acid is a white solid with a melting point of 35 to 38 °C and a boiling point of 163 °C. It has a density of 0.90 g/cm³ and is slightly soluble in water but more soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol, ether, and benzene. The pKa of pivalic acid is 5.03, indicating it is a weak acid.
Synthesis[edit | edit source]
Pivalic acid can be synthesized through the hydrolysis of tert-butyl chloride or by the oxidation of pinacolone. It is also produced as a byproduct in the Koch reaction.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Pivalic acid is used in the synthesis of esters and amides for various applications, including pharmaceuticals, perfumes, and polymers. Its esters, known as pivalates, are used as protecting groups in organic synthesis.
Safety and Handling[edit | edit source]
Pivalic acid should be handled with care, as it can cause irritation to the skin and eyes. It has a flash point of 56 °C and an autoignition temperature of 410 °C. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used when handling this chemical.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
