4-acetylbutyric acid

Synonym(s):5-Ketohexanoic acid

CAS NO.：3128-06-1
Empirical Formula: C6H10O3
Molecular Weight: 130.14
MDL number: MFCD00004412
EINECS: 221-511-7
SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS)
Update Date: 2026-04-24 14:59:12

What is 4-acetylbutyric acid?

Chemical properties

Liquid

The Uses of 4-acetylbutyric acid

4-Acetylbutyric acid is used in the synthesis of selective indomethacin analogues for AKR1C3 inhibition in the treatment of castrate-resistant prostate cancer. It is also used to prepare PARP inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.

The Uses of 4-acetylbutyric acid

4-Acetylbutyric acid may be used in the preparation of the following compounds:
5-hydroxyhexanoic acid
6-methyl1-3,4-dihydro-pyran-2-one, precursor for 5-acetyl-tetrahydro-2-(3H)-furanone
substituted N-aminolactams
(±)-5-methyl-δ-valerolactone
Crystal Structure of T.th. HB8 O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase Complexed with 4-Acetylbutyric acid

Definition

ChEBI: 4-acetylbutyric acid is a medium-chain fatty acid comprising hexanoic acid carrying a 5-oxo group. It has a role as a bacterial xenobiotic metabolite. It is a 5-oxo monocarboxylic acid, an oxo fatty acid, a medium-chain fatty acid and a straight-chain fatty acid. It derives from a hexanoic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a 5-oxohexanoate.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Synthetic Communications, 10, p. 205, 1980 DOI: 10.1080/00397918008064223
Tetrahedron, 41, p. 2163, 1985 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4020(01)96588-3

Properties of 4-acetylbutyric acid

Melting point:	13-14 °C(lit.)
Boiling point:	274-275 °C(lit.)
Density	1.09 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
refractive index	n20/D 1.4451(lit.)
Flash point:	>230 °F
storage temp.	Sealed in dry,Room Temperature
solubility	Chloroform (Slightly), Methanol (Slightly)
form	Off-White Semi-Solid
pka	4.63±0.10(Predicted)
color	Colorless to Red to Green
Water Solubility	Slightly soluble in water, chloroform and methanol.
BRN	385840
CAS DataBase Reference	3128-06-1(CAS DataBase Reference)
NIST Chemistry Reference	4-Acetylbutyric acid(3128-06-1)
EPA Substance Registry System	Hexanoic acid, 5-oxo- (3128-06-1)

Safety information for 4-acetylbutyric acid

Signal word	Warning
Pictogram(s)	Exclamation Mark Irritant GHS07
GHS Hazard Statements	H315:Skin corrosion/irritation H319:Serious eye damage/eye irritation
Precautionary Statement Codes	P264:Wash hands thoroughly after handling. P264:Wash skin thouroughly after handling. P280:Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. P321:Specific treatment (see … on this label). P305+P351+P338:IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing. P332+P313:IF SKIN irritation occurs: Get medical advice/attention. P337+P313:IF eye irritation persists: Get medical advice/attention.