Skip to Content
Merck
All Photos(1)

Key Documents

L2009

Sigma-Aldrich

Levulinic acid

98%

Synonym(s):

4-Oxopentanoic acid, 4-Oxovaleric acid

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing


About This Item

Linear Formula:
CH3COCH2CH2COOH
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
116.12
Beilstein:
506796
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352100
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.22

vapor pressure

1 mmHg ( 102 °C)

Quality Level

Assay

98%

bp

245-246 °C (lit.)

mp

30-33 °C (lit.)

density

1.134 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.)

SMILES string

CC(=O)CCC(O)=O

InChI

1S/C5H8O3/c1-4(6)2-3-5(7)8/h2-3H2,1H3,(H,7,8)

InChI key

JOOXCMJARBKPKM-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Looking for similar products? Visit Product Comparison Guide

Application

Levulinic acid is a precursor for the synthesis of useful intermediates such as γ-valerolactone, ethyl levulinate, pentanoic acid and 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran. Derivatization and esterification of levulinic acid results in potential biofuels.

It can also be used in:
  • The preparation of catalytic composite to synthesize 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural.
  • The synthesis of a commercial fragrance, fraistone.
  • The synthesis of pyrrolidone derivatives via reductive amination.
  • The total synthesis of mycobacterial arabinogalactan.

Pictograms

CorrosionExclamation mark

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Statements

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 4 Oral - Eye Dam. 1 - Skin Sens. 1

Storage Class Code

13 - Non Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 2

Flash Point(F)

208.4 °F - closed cup

Flash Point(C)

98 °C - closed cup

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Choose from one of the most recent versions:

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Lot/Batch Number

Don't see the Right Version?

If you require a particular version, you can look up a specific certificate by the Lot or Batch number.

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

Synthesis of a New Type Perfume Fraistone [J].
Heping L, et al.
Fine Chemicals / ????, 6 (1998)
Vapor Phase Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation (CTH) of Levulinic Acid to ?-Valerolactone Over Copper Supported Catalysts Using Formic Acid as Hydrogen Source.
Lomate S, et al.
Catalysis Letters, 148(1), 348-358 (2018)
Nam H Phan et al.
Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry, 18(9), 1349-1355 (2017-11-28)
The aim of this study was to develop and compare polymeric micelles of fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, and hydrophobic drugs such as paclitaxel and curcumin. Paclitaxel and curcumin are both known for their medicinal properties, including anticancer efficacy. However, their
Catalytic transformation of lignocellulose into chemicals and fuel products in ionic liquids.
Zhang Z, et al.
Chemical Reviews, 117(10), 6834-6880 (2016)
Environmentally benign catalytic process for esterification of renewable levulinic acid to various alkyl levulinates biodiesel.
Nandiwale KY and Bokade VV
Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 34(3), 795-801 (2015)

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service