Octanoic acid is an antimicrobial pesticide, algaecide, bactericide, and fungicide found naturally in the milk of various mammals, and as a minor constituent of coconut oil and palm kernel oil.2-Ethylhexanoic acid is the organic compound with the formula CH3(CH2)3CH(C2H5)CO2H. This carboxylic acid is widely used to prepare metal derivatives that are soluble in nonpolar organic solvents. These lipophilic metal-containing derivatives are used as catalysts in polymerizations. For example, tin 2-ethylhexanoate is used in the production of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid). The high solubility of these metal complexes is attributable to the long hydrocarbon chain and the presence of a chiral center which leads to mixtures of enantiomeric complexes. These metal complexes are often described as salts, when in fact they are not ionic but charge-neutral coordination complexes akin to the better defined, more crystalline acetates.

Function:
·Plasticizers
·Lubricants
·Siccatives/paint driers
·PVC stabilizers
·PUR catalysts
·Anti fungi additives
·Corrosion inhibition in coolants
·Processing aid in chemical and pharmaceutical industry