Pelargonic acid

Pelargonic acid, or nonanoic acid, is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid with nine carbon atoms. It occurs in some plants and is used in herbicides, fragrances, and chemical manufacture.

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Carboxylic acid: An organic compound containing a carboxyl group, written –COOH. Pelargonic acid belongs to this functional-group family.
Nonanoate: A salt or ester derived from nonanoic acid by replacing its acidic hydrogen. Nonanoate salts are used as active ingredients in some herbicide formulations.
Pelargonium: A genus of flowering plants that includes geraniums and related ornamental species. The name pelargonic acid reflects its historical association with Pelargonium oil.
Octanoic acid: A saturated eight-carbon carboxylic acid, also called caprylic acid. It differs from pelargonic acid by one carbon atom and has different physical properties.
Fatty acid: A carboxylic acid with a hydrocarbon chain, found in fats and other biological materials. Its nine-carbon chain makes pelargonic acid a medium-chain fatty acid.
Contact herbicide: A herbicide that damages plant tissue where it directly contacts the plant. Pelargonic acid is used this way, producing rapid visible injury without relying on systemic movement.
Geranium oil: An essential oil distilled from Pelargonium plants and used in perfumery. Pelargonic acid was identified in geranium oil, linking its name to a plant source.
Decanoic acid: A saturated ten-carbon carboxylic acid, also called capric acid. It is the next longer straight-chain saturated acid after pelargonic acid.
Nonanoic acid: The IUPAC name for the straight-chain saturated carboxylic acid with nine carbon atoms. This systematic name identifies the same molecule as pelargonic acid.
Fatty acid herbicide: A weed-control product whose active ingredient is a fatty acid that disrupts plant cell membranes. Pelargonic acid is the active ingredient in several fatty-acid herbicide products.