Undecylic acid (systematically named undecanoic acid) is a carboxylic acid with chemical formula . It is often used as an antifungal agent, to treat ringworm and athlete's foot, for example. Like decanoic acid, it has a distinctive, unpleasant odor.
It is a natural human metabolite, found in trace amounts in human breast milk and infant formulas.
Uses Undecanoic acid is employed as a chemical intermediate used in producing synthetic lubricants, plasticizers, industrial coatings, and fragrance compounds.
It is often used as an antifungal agent, to treat ringworm and athlete's foot among others.
Its therapeutic efficacy was first recognized in the 1940s in treating superficial fungal diseases affecting military troops stationed in highly humid environments, such as Southeast Asia.
See also List of saturated fatty acids
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