Title: Levulinic Acid
CAS Registry Number: 123-76-2
CAS Name: 4-Oxopentanoic acid
Synonyms: laevulinic acid; b-acetylpropionic acid
Molecular Formula: C5H8O3
Molecular Weight: 116.12
Percent Composition: C 51.72%, H 6.94%, O 41.33%
Line Formula: CH3COCH2CH2COOH
Literature References: Laboratory procedure from starch or cane sugar by boiling with HCl: McKenzie,
Org. Synth. coll. vol. I, 335 (1941). Produced commercially from low grade cellulose. By-product of furfural manuf. Extensive review: Leonard,
Ind. Eng. Chem. 48, 1331 (1956).
Properties: Plates or leaflets (commercial product is yellow), mp 33-35°. bp 245-246°. d 1.1447.
nD16 1.442. Freely sol in water, alcohol, ether; essentially insol in aliphatic hydrocarbons.
Protect from light.
Melting point: mp 33-35°
Boiling point: bp 245-246°
Index of refraction: nD16 1.442
Density: d 1.1447
Derivative Type: Phenylhydrazone
Trademarks: Antithermin
Molecular Formula: C11H14N2O2
Molecular Weight: 206.24
Percent Composition: C 64.06%, H 6.84%, N 13.58%, O 15.52%
Properties: Leaflets, mp 108°. Slightly sol in cold water, more sol in hot water; freely sol in alcohol, chloroform, ether, dil acids.
Melting point: mp 108°
Use: In organic syntheses; in the manuf of nylon, synthetic rubbers, plastics, and medicinals.
