Nonivamide

Nonivamide, also known as pelargonic acid vanillylamide, PAVA, nonylic vanillylamide, N-[4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzyl]nonanamide, N-vanillylnonamide, nonylic acid vanillyl amide, vanillyl pelargonic amide, pelargonyl vanillyl amide, and pseudocapsaicin, an organic compound, is a capsaicinoid, an amide of pelargonic acid and vanillylamine. It is an irritant. It is present in chili peppers. It is also commonly manufactured synthetically. It is more heat-stable than capsaicin.

Nonivamide is used as a food additive to add pungency to seasonings, flavorings, and spice blends. It is also used in confectionary industry to create hot sensation, and in pharmaceutical industry in some formulations.

In chemical weapons industry, nonivamide finds use as the active ingredient of oleoresin capsicum based riot control agents, e.g. some pepper sprays.