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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Richie Leib on September 01, 2021, 08:45:05 AM

Title: Caproic (Hexanoic) Acid aroma neutralization Possible?
Post by: Richie Leib on September 01, 2021, 08:45:05 AM

Hi Everyone, I'm reproducing my Grandad's formula for a personal care product and the distinctive "aroma" of the Caproic Acid component is kind of a downer. Is there any way of neutralizing the "scent" without going to another fatty acid with a longer chain? If anyone has any ideas that would be very "pleasant".

Title: Re: Caproic (Hexanoic) Acid aroma neutralization Possible?
Post by: Hunter2 on September 02, 2021, 02:53:20 PM

Probably by neutralization. Keep pH higher then 7.

Title: Re: Caproic (Hexanoic) Acid aroma neutralization Possible?
Post by: Richie Leib on September 16, 2021, 11:02:59 AM

Thanks for the suggestion my friend. I'll check my pH after the product is cooked and try to neutralize at that stage.

Note: I accidentally overheated some of this stuff to boiling in my basement lab and it took weeks to get the worst of the smell out. There's still a lingering stench. It was horrible! I'm glad I didn't cook in the the regular kitchen. My wife would have killed me!

Title: Re: Caproic (Hexanoic) Acid aroma neutralization Possible?
Post by: Corribus on September 16, 2021, 12:04:22 PM

Can you use ester (e.g. methyl caproate) instead?

Title: Re: Caproic (Hexanoic) Acid aroma neutralization Possible?
Post by: rolnor on September 16, 2021, 12:11:50 PM

Some if my "friends" in high-school stole valeric acid from my lab and contaminated our school with this material, the stench lingered for months. The head-master blamed me…..

Title: Re: Caproic (Hexanoic) Acid aroma neutralization Possible?
Post by: Richie Leib on October 05, 2021, 10:38:23 AM

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into the ester and see if it's a suitable substitute. :)