Potassium benzoate (E212), the potassium salt of benzoic acid, is a food preservative that inhibits the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria. It works best in low-pH products, below 4.5, where it exists as benzoic acid.
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Names | |||
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IUPAC name
Potassium benzoate
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Identifiers | |||
3D model (JSmol)
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ChEMBL | |||
ChemSpider | |||
ECHA InfoCard | 100.008.621 | ||
EC Number |
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E number | E212 (preservatives) | ||
KEGG | |||
PubChem CID
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UNII | |||
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |||
C7H5KO2 | |||
Molar mass | 160.213 g·mol−1 | ||
Appearance | White hygroscopic solid | ||
Odor | Odorless[1] | ||
Density | 1.5 g/cm3 | ||
Melting point | >300 °C (572 °F; 573 K) | ||
69.87 g/100 mL (17.5 °C) 73.83 g/100 mL (25 °C) 79 g/100 mL (33.3 °C) 88.33 g/100 mL (50 °C)[2][1] | |||
Solubility in other solvents | Soluble in ethanol Slightly soluble in methanol Insoluble in ether | ||
Hazards[3] | |||
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |||
Main hazards
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Low toxicity | ||
GHS labelling: | |||
Warning | |||
H315, H319 | |||
P264, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362 | |||
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |||
950 °C (1,740 °F; 1,220 K) | |||
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Acidic foods and beverages such as fruit juice (citric acid), sparkling drinks (carbonic acid), soft drinks (phosphoric acid), and pickles (vinegar) may be preserved with potassium benzoate. It is approved for use in most countries including Canada, the United States and the European Union, where it is designated by the E number E212.
Potassium benzoate is also used in the whistle in many fireworks.[4]
Synthesis
editOne very common way to make potassium benzoate is by oxidizing toluene to benzoic acid followed by a neutralization with potassium hydroxide:[5]
- C6H5COOH + KOH → C6H5COOK + H2O
Another way to synthesize potassium benzoate in the lab setting is by hydrolyzing methyl benzoate with potassium hydroxide:
- C6H5COOCH3 + KOH → C6H5COOK + CH3OH
Reactions
editPotassium benzoate, like sodium benzoate, can be decarboxylated with a strong base and heat:
- C6H5COOK + KOH → C6H6 + K2CO3
Mechanism of food preservation
editThe mechanism of food preservation begins with the absorption of benzoic acid into the cell. If the intracellular pH changes to 5 or lower, the anaerobic fermentation of glucose through phosphofructokinase is decreased by 95%.
Safety and health
editPotassium benzoate has low acute toxicity upon oral and dermal exposure.[6] The Food Commission, which campaigns for safer, healthier food in the UK, describes potassium benzoate as "mildly irritant to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes".[7]
Spectra
editCarbon-13 NMR
editThe carbon-13 NMR shows 5 unique peaks. There are four peaks between 130-140 ppm from the carbon atoms in the benzene ring. There is an additional carbon peak around 178 ppm representing the carbon atom from the carbonyl group.[8]
Infrared spectrum
editThe following are the main peaks in the IR spectrum.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Potassium Benzoate". Emerald Kalama Chemical. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
- ^ Seidell, Atherton; Linke, William F. (1952). Solubilities of Inorganic and Organic Compounds. Van Nostrand. Retrieved 2014-05-29.
- ^ "Potassium benzoate". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- ^ Press Release from Defense Technical Information Center; article- Potassium Benzoate for Pyrotechnic Whistling Compositions: Its Synthesis and Characterization as an Anhydrous Salt
- ^ US 3867439, Hills, David J., "Preparation of potassium benzoate", published 1975-02-18, assigned to The Dow Chemical Company
- ^ "Benzoates" (PDF). United Nations Environment Programme. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-03-07. Retrieved 2015-04-30.
- ^ [1], The Food Magazine, Issue 77, Food Commission UK
- ^ a b SciFinder - Carbon-13 NMR Spectrum for 582-25-2