EMERY® Pelargonic Acid (Nonanoic Acid, Monocarboxylic Acid)

Our EMERY® brand nonanoic acid offers unique performance advantages due to its odd-chain structure.

It delivers superior functionality across a range of applications, from metalworking to industrial cleaning, compared to shorter-chain fatty acids.

Quick Facts

Name: Nonanoic acid

Alternative names: Pelargonic acid

Chemistry family: Saturated fatty acids

Primary benefits: Water-soluble, antifungal, antimicrobial, low foaming characteristics

Main applications: Metalworking fluids, animal feed, lubricant base stocks, esters

Contact our team to request a sample.

What Is Nonanoic Acid?

The PubChem nonanoic acid definition states that this chemical is a C₉ straight-chain saturated fatty acid (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Nonanoic-acid). It occurs naturally as an ester of a flowering plant, Pelargonium graveolens, hence its common alternative name, pelargonic acid.

Because it comes from a natural source, it’s considered an organic compound, and it appears as a clear, colorless liquid with a slightly oily consistency. This reflects the type of compound it is: a nine-carbon fatty acid. When the acid is converted to salts or esters, the resulting compounds are called nonanoates or pelargonates.

Nonanoic acid is used in a range of applications across industry, agriculture, and even health and beauty, from metalworking fluid additives to plasticizer preparation, animal feed additives, and fragrances.

The chemical formula for nonanoic acid is CH3(CH2)7CO2H.

Key Benefits and Properties

Some of the notable properties of nonanoic acid include:

• Good water solubility
• Insoluble in most organic solvents
• Lower foaming characteristics
• Lower temperature fluidity
• Low melting point

Nonanoic acid has antifungal and antimicrobial properties, which make it useful as a herbicide. It is also an antifeedant, meaning it deters insects that feed on plants. The unusual taste and smell of nonanoic acid make it a popular additive in the food and beverage industry and in fragrances.

As a pioneer and market leader in the commercial development of nonanoic acid, also known as pelargonic acid or monocarboxylic acid, our EMERY line of nonanoic acids showcases high-performance solutions derived from natural, renewable sources.

Backed by over 70 years of innovation, EMERY pelargonic acids deliver proven reliability and sustainability for today's demanding applications.

Contact our application experts today for more information or to request a sample to begin enhancing the performance of your formulations.

Nonanoic Acid Applications

Popular nonanoic acid uses include:

• Lubricant base stocks
• Metalworking (Corrosion inhibitors)
• Esters
• Industrial and Institutional Cleaning
• Fragrances
• Animal feed
• Personal Care
• Agriculture (Herbicides)*

The water-soluble nature of nonanoic acid makes it highly applicable for reacting with low molecular weight amines such as monoethanolamine or isopropanolamine. Creating these reactions can offer a multitude of benefits for the metalworking industry. A pelargonic acid corrosion inhibitor, for example, can increase the durability and resilience of both tools and finished products.

Using pelargonic acid in metalworking fluids is also suitable for cutting and shaping metal, particularly as an additive to tool lubricants, and for more efficient cooling processes. As a C9 fatty acid, nonanoic acid can form a protective yet thin layer between surfaces that won’t dissolve in most organic solvents.

The same lubricating power that makes nonanoic acid a winning chemical for metalworking applications also makes it suitable for use in beauty and skincare. This fatty acid may be added to emollients and moisturizers, including hand and face creams and sunscreen. The makeup industry uses nonanoic acid to enhance pigment binding and improve product effectiveness.

In industrial cleaning applications, nonanoic acid may be used to sanitize areas due to its effective antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It’s effective against a range of fungi, yeasts, molds, and bacteria. Nonanoic acid may be included in industrial detergents or spill kits.

Nonanoic acid has an aroma that many people describe as waxy or cheesy, and it is often used as a flavorant in both human and animal food. For culinary purposes, it’s often added to dairy products. In perfumery, it’s used to balance out notes that may be too sweet or clean.

The toxicity of nonanoic acid is considered low, and it is used only in trace amounts in foods and perfumes. Studies showed that piglets were able to tolerate fairly high amounts of nonanoic acid in their feed with no adverse effects (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0377840122001109, 2022).

*Herbicides for weed control

We also offer pelargonic acid as a natural-based solution for use in agricultural applications as a bioherbicide for weed control. To learn more about our EMERION® W 90 PA, EMERION® W 90 PA TG, and EMERION® W 90 PA MUP pelargonic acids that are certified 100% bio-based by the USDA BioPreferred® Program, visit Bioherbicides.

Nonanoic Acid in Metalworking Fluids

Metalworking fluids must be safe, non-toxic, and offer effective lubrication or other properties as needed. Bio-based nonanoic acid is a rapidly emerging solution to the challenges posed by advancing metalworking techniques.

One of these challenges is that conventional lubricants may break down after microbial ingress. In other words, bacteria can degrade the quality of lubricants, making them unusable (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625002589, 2025). Nonanoic acid is a potential solution to this problem, as it has inherent antimicrobial properties that help keep lubricants effective for longer.

In addition to its use as an effective lubricant base stock, nonanoic acid can be used in solvents for paints and coatings, making it even more applicable across metalwork and the broader manufacturing sector.

Bio-based nonanoic acid also promotes sustainability through the USDA BioPreferred® Program, helping businesses meet their corporate responsibility targets and contribute to a healthier planet. Renewable nonanoic acid comes from entirely biological sources.

Emery Product Options

EMERY also offers a range of polyol esters as part of its Bio-Lubricants portfolio. EMERY® E esters deliver verified bio-based content and technical datasheets for formulation. Many industries use nonanoic/pelargonic acid to make esters, with products such as TMP Pelargonate, branded as DEHYLUB® 4119 when ordered via EMERY.

Using pelargonic acid in metalworking fluids? See EMERY® pelargonic acid for metalworking fluids.

Contact our Application Experts today for more information or to request a sample to begin enhancing the performance of your formulations.

FAQs

What are the top pelargonic acid uses in metalworking?

Nonanoic or pelargonic acid is used for creating effective lubricants for metalworking and other industrial applications. It may also be used as a corrosion inhibitor and for protecting tools and lubricants from microbial degradation.

What should I look for in a nonanoic or pelargonic acid supplier?

Check that your supplier provides 100% bio-based nonanoic acid to ensure sustainability and quality. See if they offer different strengths of nonanoic acid and esters made from it. Emery offers two strengths of nonanoic acid and multiple esters.

How do I know which nonanoic acid strength or type I need?

Both strengths of nonanoic acid offer slightly different benefits. For example, EMERY® 1202 is indicated where non-yellowing is a priority. Contact our team for advice or to order a sample.

Need a technical data sheet or sample of EMERY® pelargonic acid? Contact our application experts. Contact Us