Crotonate is a chemical compound with the formula CH₃CH=CHCOO⁻. It is an anion that is commonly used in organic chemistry. The word crotonate is pronounced as /kroʊtəneɪt/ using IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "kro" is pronounced like the word "grow." The second syllable "to" sounds like "toe", and the final syllable "neɪt" rhymes with "great." The stress is on the second syllable, making it easier to remember the correct pronunciation.
Crotonate is a chemical compound belonging to the category of carboxylate salts or esters. It is derived from crotonic acid, which is an unsaturated carboxylic acid. Crotonate salts are formed by substituting the acidic hydrogen of crotonic acid with a metal cation, resulting in the formation of crotonate anion.
The crotonate anion features a carboxylate functional group composed of a carbonyl group (C=O) and a hydroxyl group (OH) attached to the same carbon atom. This atom is part of a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) system, rendering crotonate an unsaturated compound. Due to its unsaturated nature, crotonate exhibits reactivity and can participate in various chemical reactions.
Typically, crotonate salts are crystalline solids with excellent solubility in polar solvents like water. They may also be used as catalysts or intermediates in organic synthesis, owing to their ability to influence reaction rates and alter the course of chemical transformations. In some cases, these compounds have found applications in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.
As with any chemical compound, crotonate must be handled with caution. It may have specific safety considerations regarding its handling, storage, and transportation. It is always recommended to consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and follow appropriate safety protocols while working with crotonate to prevent any potential hazards or adverse effects.
The word "Crotonate" is derived from the name of the plant genus "Croton". Croton refers to a large genus of flowering plants in the Euphorbiaceae family. The name "Croton" comes from the Greek word "kroton", which means "tick". It is believed to be named so due to the seeds of some Croton species resembling ticks or their bites.
The suffix "-ate" is commonly used in chemistry to indicate a salt or ester of an acid. In the case of "Crotonate", it indicates that the compound is a salt or ester derived from the acid Crotonic Acid.