Salts of benzoic acid are used as food preservatives. Benzoic acid is an important precursor for the industrial synthesis of many other organic substances.
Benzoic acid's salt (sodium benzoate) is commonly used as a pH adjustor and preservative in food, preventing the growth of microbes to keep food safe.
| Physical state at 20 °C : | Solid |
| Odour threshold : | No data available |
| pH value : | No data available |
| Melting point [°C] : | 121 - 125 °C |
| Decomposition point [°C] : | N/A |
| Critical temperature [°C] : | N/A |
| Auto-ignition temperature [°C] : | N/A |
| Flammability (solid, gas) : | N/A |
| Flash point [°C] : | 121 °C |
| Boiling point [°C] : | 249 °C |
| Initial boiling point [°C] : | N/A |
| Final boiling point [°C] : | N/A |
| Evaporation rate : | N/A |
| Vapour pressure [20°C] : | N/A |
| Vapour pressure mm/Hg : | 13 mm Hg at 132 °C |
| Vapour density : | 4,22 |
| Density [g/cm3] : | 1,32 |
| Relative density, gas (air=1) : | N/A |
| Relative density, liquid (water=1) : | N/A |
| Solubility in water [% weight] : | 2.9 g/l at 25 °C |
| Solubility in water : | N/A |
| Log Pow octanol / water at 20°C : | No data available |
| Solubility : | 2.5 - 3.5 |
| Viscosity at 40°C [mm2/s] : | N/A |
| Explosive properties : | N/A |
| Explosion limits - upper [%] : | N/A |
| Explosion limits - lower [%] : | N/A |
| Oxidising properties : |
No data available |
Benzoic acid is most commonly found in industrial settings to manufacture a wide variety of products such as perfumes, dyes, topical medications and insect repellents. Benzoic acid's salt (sodium benzoate) is commonly used as a pH adjustor and preservative in food, preventing the growth of microbes to keep food safe.
Reactions typical for carboxylic acids apply also to benzoic acid. Benzoate esters are the product of the acid catalysed reaction with alcohols. Benzoic acid amides are usually prepared from benzoyl chloride. Dehydration to benzoic anhydride is induced with acetic anhydride or phosphorus pentoxide.
