Description

Methyl 4-Oxobutanoate is a versatile and high-purity organic ester, serving as a critical building block in advanced chemical synthesis. Its value lies in its bifunctional structure, containing both a reactive ketone and an ester group, which enables its use in creating complex molecular architectures. This compound is essential for research and production chemists in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and specialty chemical industries seeking reliable intermediates for condensation reactions and heterocycle formation.

Application

• Pharmaceutical Intermediate: A key precursor in the synthesis of various active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), particularly those containing pyrrolidine or other nitrogen heterocycles.
• Agrochemical Synthesis: Used in the production of herbicides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators that require a succinate-derived backbone.
• Flavor & Fragrance Ingredient: Serves as a starting material for the synthesis of γ-lactones and other compounds that contribute fruity and creamy notes.
• Polymer Chemistry: Acts as a monomer or cross-linking agent in the production of specialty polymers and resins with tailored properties.
• Organic Synthesis Reagent: Employed in Michael additions, Grignard reactions, and reductive amination processes to construct carbon chains.
• Chemical Research: A valuable standard and reagent in academic and industrial R&D labs for methodology development and scale-up studies.

Basic Information

Product Name	Methyl 4-Oxobutanoate
CAS No.	13865-19-5
Molecular Formula	C5H8O3
Molecular Weight	116.12 g/mol
Synonyms	Methyl 4-oxobutanoate; Methyl levulinate; 4-Oxopentanoic acid methyl ester; Levulinic acid methyl ester; Methyl 3-ketobutanoate; Methyl γ-ketobutyrate; 3-Ketobutyric acid methyl ester; 13865-19-5
EINECS	237-603-7

Quality Control

Our Methyl 4-Oxobutanoate is manufactured under a strict quality management system. Every batch undergoes comprehensive analytical testing, including GC, HPLC, and NMR, to ensure it meets the high-purity standards required for sensitive synthetic applications. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) detailing purity, identity, and impurity profiles is provided with each shipment to guarantee traceability and compliance.

Storage

Preserve in a tightly closed container, protected from light. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area at controlled room temperature (15-25°C). Keep away from strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, and sources of ignition.

Specification

Item	Specification
Appearance	Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Identification (IR)	Conforms to structure
Assay (GC)	≥ 98.0%
Water Content (KF)	≤ 0.5%
Refractive Index (20°C)	1.422 - 1.426
Density (20°C)	1.085 - 1.095 g/mL

Note: Specifications can be tailored. Please contact us for the detailed technical data sheet of a specific grade.