a. Chem. [f. L. caper, capr- goat (from its smell) + -oic, -IC; in form purposely varied from CAPRIC, with which it is associated. Capronic was another form used by some.]
1. Caproic acid: a peculiar acid found along with the capric and butyric acids in butter, etc.; chemically also called normal caproic or pentylformic acid; this and iso-caproic or isopentylformic acid being forms of the hexoic acids (C6 H12 O2), the monatomic monobasic or fatty acids of the hexyl series.
1839–47. Todd, Cycl. Anat., III. 359/1. The butyric, caproic, and capric acids.
1873. Watts, Fownes’ Chem., 686. Caproic Acid is produced by the action of alkalis on amyl cyanide.
2. Caproic series: the series of chemical compounds allied to caproic acid, or containing the radical caproyl; as caproic alcohol, caproic aldehyde, caproic ethers, etc.
From same source Caproate, a salt of caproic acid. Caproone, the ketone of the caproic series. Caproyl or Capronyl, C6 H11 O, the radical of the caproic series; whence Caproylamine, etc.
1845. Day, trans. Simon’s Anim. Chem., I. 76. Nearly the whole of the caproate salt is deposited.
1873. Watts, Fownes’ Chem., 687. The metallic caproates are soluble and crystallisable.
