Product Description
Levulinic acid (C₅H₈O₃) is a multifunctional bio-based organic compound containing carboxylic acid and ketone active groups. With flexible reaction activity and stable basic properties, it can participate in esterification, hydrogenation, condensation and other diverse reactions, serving as a high-value universal synthetic intermediate.
Product Parameters
| Melting point | 30-33 °C (lit.) |
| Boiling point | 245-246 °C (lit.) |
| Density | 1.134 g/mL at 25 °C (lit.) |
| Vapor pressure | 1 mm Hg ( 102 °C) |
| Refractive index | n20/D 1.439(lit.) |
| FEMA | 2627 | LEVULINIC ACID |
| Fp | 280 °F |
| Storage temp | Store below +30°C. |
| Solubility | 675g/l |
| Form | Liquid After Melting |
| Pka | pKa 4.65(H2O,t = 25,c=0.03-0.001) (Uncertain) |
| Color | Clear yellow |
| Odor | at 100.00 %. sweet caramel acidic acetoin buttery |
| Odor Type | caramellic |
| Water Solubility | Soluble in water ( 675g/L at 20°C). |
| Sensitive | Light Sensitive |
| Merck | 145472 |
| JECFA Number | 606 |
| BRN | 506796 |
| InChIKey | JOOXCMJARBKPKM-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| LogP | -0.498 |
| CAS DataBase Reference | 123-76-2(CAS DataBase Reference) |
| NIST Chemistry Reference | Pentanoic acid, 4-oxo-(123-76-2) |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Levulinic acid (123-76-2) |
Safety Information
| Hazard Codes | Xn,C |
| Risk Statements | 22-36/37/38-34-R34-R22 |
| Safety Statements | 26-45-36/37/39-S45-S36/37/39-S26 |
| RIDADR | 3261 |
| WGK Germany | 3 |
| RTECS | OI1575000 |
| TSCA | Yes |
| HazardClass | 8 |
| PackingGroup | III |
| HS Code | 29183000 |
| Toxicity | LD50 orally in Rabbit: 1850 mg/kg LD50 dermal Rabbit > 5000 mg/kg |
Application Scenarios
Its various derivatives are widely adopted in resins, coatings, inks, fragrances, surfactants, rubber and plastic additives, as well as lubricant modifier manufacturing. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used for synthesizing indomethacin, plant growth regulators and intravenous nutritional calcium salts, which assist bone metabolism and stabilize nerve and muscle physiological functions. Furthermore, its bisphenolic derivatives can produce water-soluble paper-making resins for filter paper production, and it also acts as a key intermediate for pesticide and dye synthesis.
