Butenoic acid

Butenoic acid is any of three monocarboxylic acids with an unbranched 4-carbon chain with 3 single bonds and one double bond; that is, with the structural formula –––H (2-butenoic) or –––H (3-butenoic). All have the chemical formula or .

These compounds are technically mono-unsaturated fatty acids, although some authors may exclude them for being too short. The three isomers are:

• crotonic acid (trans-2-butenoic or (2E)-but-2-enoic acid)
• isocrotonic acid (cis-2-butenoic or (2Z)-but-2-enoic acid)
• 3-butenoic acid (but-3-enoic acid).

See also

• Methacrylic acid, also but branched like isobutene; a.k.a. isobutenoic acid
• Butyric acid, ; a.k.a. butanoic acid

References