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Send EmailPropionic Acid, Propanoic Acid, Ethyl Formic Acid, Methyl Acetic Acid, Propanoate, Carboxyethane, Ethanecarboxylic Acid, E280, 79-09-4
PROPIONIC ACID
PRODUCT IDENTIFIER INFORMATION
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Propionic Acid |
| Chemical Name (IUPAC) | Propanoic Acid |
| CAS Number | 79-09-4 |
| EC Number (EINECS) | 201-176-3 |
| Food Additive Code | E280 |
| Molecular Formula | C3H6O2 |
| Molecular Weight | 74.08 g/mol |
SECTION 1: CHEMICAL IDENTITY AND DESCRIPTION
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name (IUPAC) | Propanoic Acid |
| Synonyms | Propionic Acid, Ethylformic Acid, Methylacetic Acid, Carboxyethane, Ethanecarboxylic Acid, Propanoate, Propionate |
| Foreign Languages | Propionic Acid (Eng.), Acide propionique (Fr.), Propionsäure (Ger.), Ácido propiónico (Sp.) |
| CAS Number | 79-09-4 |
| EC Number (EINECS) | 201-176-3 |
| Food Additive Code | E280, INS 280 |
| Molecular Formula | C3H6O2 (CH3CH2COOH) |
| Molecular Weight | 74.08 g/mol |
| Chemical Class | Carboxylic acid (short-chain fatty acid) |
| Functional Group | Carboxyl (-COOH) |
| Physical State (20°C) | Colorless, oily liquid |
| Odor | Slightly pungent, unpleasant (resembles body odor) |
| Chemical Character | Weak organic acid |
SECTION 2: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
| Property | Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless, oily liquid | Visual |
| Odor | Slightly pungent, unpleasant | Olfactometric |
| Molecular Weight | 74.08 g/mol | Calculated |
| Melting Point | -21°C to -20.5°C | DSC |
| Boiling Point | 141°C | ASTM D86 |
| Flash Point | 54°C (closed cup) | ASTM D93 |
| Autoignition Temperature | 485°C | ASTM E659 |
| Density (20°C) | 0.99 g/cm3 | ASTM D4052 |
| Vapor Pressure (20°C) | 3.9 hPa | ASTM D2879 |
| Vapor Density (Air=1) | 2.56 | Calculated |
| pH (1% solution, 25°C) | ~4.88 | pH Meter |
| Solubility in Water (25°C) | Completely miscible (1000 g/L) | General Method |
| Solubility in Ethanol | Completely miscible | General Method |
| Solubility in Ether | Completely miscible | General Method |
| Solubility in Chloroform | Completely miscible | General Method |
| Acid Dissociation Constant (pKa, 25°C) | 4.87 | Potentiometric |
| Refractive Index (nD20) | 1.386 | Refractometry |
| Viscosity (25°C) | 1.02 cP | ASTM D445 |
| Surface Tension (20°C) | 27.2 mN/m | Du Noüy Ring |
SECTION 3: CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND REACTIVITY
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Chemical Character | Weak organic acid; undergoes typical carboxylic acid reactions |
| Stability | Stable under normal conditions |
| Decomposition Products (Heating) | CO, CO2, irritating fumes |
| Incompatible Materials | Strong bases, strong oxidizing agents, amines, alkali metals |
| Reaction with Bases | Neutralization to form propionate salts (sodium propionate, calcium propionate) |
| Reaction with Alcohols | Esterification to form propionate esters |
| Halogenation | α-halogenation via Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky reaction |
| Reaction with Metals | Corrosive to many metals; releases hydrogen gas |
| Reaction with Ammonia/Amines | Forms amide derivatives |
SECTION 4: PRODUCTION METHODS
4.1. Industrial Chemical Synthesis:
| Method | Description | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrocarboxylation of Ethylene | Ethylene + CO + H2O → Propionic Acid | Nickel carbonyl |
| Oxidation of Propionaldehyde | Propionaldehyde + O2 → Propionic Acid (40-50°C) | Cobalt or manganese salts |
4.2. Biotechnological Production (Fermentation):
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Microorganism | Propionibacterium genus bacteria |
| Substrate | Organic carbon sources such as wood pulp, sugar, glycerol |
| Process | Production in fermentation tanks under controlled conditions |
| Purification | Filtration, distillation |
| Modern Approaches | Cell immobilization, 3D printing technologies |
SECTION 5: SHORT-CHAIN FATTY ACIDS COMPARISON
| Property | Formic Acid (E236) | Acetic Acid (E260) | Propionic Acid (E280) | Butyric Acid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | HCOOH | CH3COOH | CH3CH2COOH | CH3CH2CH2COOH |
| Molecular Weight | 46.03 | 60.05 | 74.08 | 88.11 |
| Boiling Point | 101°C | 118°C | 141°C | 163°C |
| pKa (25°C) | 3.75 | 4.76 | 4.87 | 4.82 |
| Melting Point | 8°C | 17°C | -21°C | -5°C |
| Odor | Sharp, irritating | Sharp, vinegar-like | Unpleasant, body odor | Rancid butter |
| Antifungal Activity | Moderate | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Food Additive Code | E236 | E260 | E280 | - |
| Primary Use | Disinfectant, textiles | Vinegar, preservative | Bread preservative, feed | Animal feed, esters |
SECTION 6: FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES AND MECHANISM OF ACTION
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Antimicrobial (Mold Inhibitor) | Prevents mold and fungal growth at 0.1-1% concentration |
| Preservative | Prevents microbial spoilage in food and feed; extends shelf life |
| Mechanism of Action | Passes through cell membrane, lowers intracellular pH; inhibits microbial metabolism |
| Acidity Regulator | Provides pH control in food and feed |
| Chemical Intermediate | Starting material for synthesis of ester, amide, anhydride, and chloride derivatives |
| Silage Additive | Inhibits undesirable microorganisms in silage fermentation |
| Corrosion Inhibitor | When modified, provides 75-95% corrosion prevention on carbon steel |
SECTION 7: PRIMARY APPLICATION AREAS
| Sector | Application | Typical Usage Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Food - Bakery Products | Mold inhibitor in bread, cakes, bakery products (as propionate salts) | 0.1-0.5% |
| Food - Cheese | Ripening of Swiss cheese, Emmental; characteristic hole formation | Variable |
| Food - Dairy Products | Preservative | 0.1-0.3% |
| Agriculture - Animal Feed | Prevention of mold, bacteria, yeast in stored grains, barley, and feed | 0.2-1.0% |
| Agriculture - Silage | Prevention of spoilage in green plant fermentation | 0.1-0.5% |
| Agriculture - Drinking Water | Bacterial control in poultry/livestock drinking water | 0.1-0.5 g/L |
| Agriculture - Pest Control | Against grain weevils and eggs in grain stores | Variable |
| Chemical - Intermediate | Production of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, paints, varnishes, solvents | Variable |
| Polymer/Plastic | Production of cellulose-acetate-propionate thermoplastics | Variable |
| Cosmetic/Pharmaceutical | pH regulator, antimicrobial in creams and lotions | 0.1-0.5% |
| Flavor | Propionate esters as artificial sweeteners and solvents | Variable |
SECTION 8: QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS (FOOD GRADE - E280)
| Parameter | Specification | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless, clear liquid | Visual |
| Odor | Characteristic, slightly pungent | Olfactometric |
| Purity (C3H6O2) | ≥ 99.5% | GC-FID |
| Water Content | ≤ 0.2% | Karl Fischer Titration |
| Acetic Acid | ≤ 0.1% | GC |
| Propanol | ≤ 0.1% | GC |
| Formic Acid | ≤ 0.05% | Ion Chromatography |
| Butyric Acid | ≤ 0.05% | GC |
| Aldehydes (as Propionaldehyde) | ≤ 0.05% | Titrimetric |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 5 ppm | AAS / ICP-OES |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 2 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 3 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤ 1 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤ 1 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Evaporation Residue | ≤ 0.01% | Gravimetric |
| Color (APHA) | ≤ 10 | ASTM D1209 |
| Density (20°C) | 0.990-0.995 g/cm3 | ASTM D4052 |
| Refractive Index (nD20) | 1.385-1.387 | Refractometry |
SECTION 9: TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Acute Oral Toxicity (LD50, Rat) | ~2,600-3,500 mg/kg |
| Acute Dermal Toxicity (LD50, Rabbit) | ~500 mg/kg (corrosive) |
| Skin Irritation | Corrosive; causes severe burns |
| Eye Irritation | Risk of serious eye damage |
| Respiratory Irritation | Vapors irritate respiratory tract |
| Skin Sensitization | Not sensitizing |
| Carcinogenicity | Not classified (IARC, NTP) |
| Mutagenicity | Negative in in vitro tests |
| Reproductive Toxicity | May have effects at high doses |
| Chronic Toxicity | Safe under normal use conditions |
| GRAS Status | Recognized as GRAS by FDA |
| ADI | Not limited (JECFA) |
SECTION 10: GHS CLASSIFICATION AND LABELING
GHS Classification (compliant with 1272/2008/EC):
| Hazard Class | Category | H-Statement |
|---|---|---|
| Flammable Liquid | Category 3 | H226 |
| Skin Corrosion/Irritation | Category 1B | H314 |
| Serious Eye Damage/Irritation | Category 1 | H318 |
Signal Word: DANGER
Hazard Pictograms: GHS02 (Flame), GHS05 (Corrosive)
Hazard Statements (H-Codes):
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapor |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage |
Precautionary Statements (P-Codes):
| Code | Statement |
|---|---|
| P210 | Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames. No smoking. |
| P280 | Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection |
| P303+P361+P353 | IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower |
| P305+P351+P338 | IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing |
| P310 | Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor |
SECTION 11: FIRST AID MEASURES
| Exposure Route | Action to Take |
|---|---|
| Inhalation | Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention if respiratory irritation persists. |
| Skin Contact | Remove contaminated clothing immediately. Wash with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. |
| Eye Contact | Rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses if present. Seek immediate medical attention. |
| Ingestion | Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical attention. |
SECTION 12: FIREFIGHTING MEASURES
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Fire Hazard | Flammable liquid and vapor |
| Flash Point | 54°C (closed cup) |
| Suitable Extinguishing Media | CO2, dry chemical powder, alcohol-resistant foam, water mist |
| Special Hazards | Releases CO, CO2, irritating fumes when heated |
| Protective Equipment | Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), full protective clothing |
SECTION 13: STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Storage Conditions | Cool (15-25°C), dry, well-ventilated area; away from heat and ignition sources |
| Container Requirements | Tightly closed, acid-resistant containers (stainless steel 316L, HDPE, glass) |
| Critical Separation | Strong bases, oxidizing agents, amines, alkali metals |
| Shelf Life | 24 months (unopened original packaging under appropriate storage conditions) |
| Stability Note | Non-hygroscopic; stable under appropriate conditions |
SECTION 14: PACKAGING OPTIONS
| Packaging Type | Quantity | Material |
|---|---|---|
| HDPE bottle | 1 L, 5 L | HDPE |
| HDPE drum | 25 L, 50 L | HDPE |
| Plastic drum | 200 L | HDPE |
| IBC Container | 1,000 L | HDPE / Stainless steel |
| Bulk tanker | 20-25 tons | Stainless steel 316L |
SECTION 15: TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| UN Number | UN 3463 (Propionic Acid) |
| Hazard Class | 8 (Corrosive) + 3 (Flammable Liquid) |
| Packing Group | II |
| ADR/RID | UN 3463, Propionic Acid, 8 (3), PG II |
| IMDG Code | UN 3463, Propionic Acid, 8 (3), PG II |
| IATA (Air) | UN 3463, Propionic Acid, 8 (3), PG II |
| Marine Pollutant | No |
| Transport Temperature | Ambient |
SECTION 16: ACCIDENTAL RELEASE AND CLEANUP
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Personal Protection | Full chemical protective clothing, acid-resistant gloves (butyl/nitrile), safety goggles/face shield |
| Cleanup Methods | Absorb with inert absorbent material (sand, vermiculite). Collect in closed containers. |
| Environmental Precautions | Prevent entry into drains, soil, and surface water. |
| Waste Disposal | According to local regulations; incineration or chemical neutralization at licensed disposal facility. |
SECTION 17: REGULATORY STATUS
| Region / Authority | Status |
|---|---|
| European Union | Food additive E280; approved for use quantum satis in all foods |
| USA (FDA) | GRAS (21 CFR 184.1081) |
| JECFA (FAO/WHO) | ADI not limited |
| Turkey | Approved under Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives |
| Australia/New Zealand | Approved as food additive |
SECTION 18: OTHER NAMES AND SYNONYMS
| Type | Name |
|---|---|
| Chemical Names (IUPAC) | Propanoic Acid |
| Common Names | Propionic Acid, Ethylformic Acid, Methylacetic Acid, Carboxyethane, Ethanecarboxylic Acid |
| Salt/Ester Forms | Propanoate, Propionate |
| Food Additive Code | E280, INS 280 |
| German | Propionsäure |
| French | Acide propionique |
| Spanish | Ácido propiónico |
| CAS Number | 79-09-4 |
| EC Number | 201-176-3 |
SECTION 19: PROPIONATE SALTS REFERENCE TABLE
| Salt | Formula | CAS Number | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium Propionate | NaC3H5O2 | 137-40-6 | Bread preservative (E281) |
| Calcium Propionate | Ca(C3H5O2)2 | 4075-81-4 | Bread preservative (E282) |
| Potassium Propionate | KC3H5O2 | 327-62-8 | Food preservative (E283) |
| Ammonium Propionate | NH4C3H5O2 | 17496-08-1 | Feed preservative |
| Magnesium Propionate | Mg(C3H5O2)2 | 557-27-7 | Feed additive |
| Zinc Propionate | Zn(C3H5O2)2 | 557-28-8 | Antifungal agent |
SECTION 20: SUMMARY TABLE
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product | Propionic Acid |
| IUPAC Name | Propanoic Acid |
| CAS Number | 79-09-4 |
| Food Additive Code | E280 |
| Molecular Formula | C3H6O2 |
| Molecular Weight | 74.08 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless, oily liquid |
| Boiling Point | 141°C |
| Melting Point | -21°C |
| Solubility in Water | Completely miscible |
| pKa (25°C) | 4.87 |
| Primary Function | Antimicrobial preservative, mold inhibitor, chemical intermediate |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
| GHS Signal Word | Danger |
| UN Number | UN 3463 (Corrosive/Flammable, 8 (3), PG II) |
SECTION 21: CRITICAL WARNINGS AND BEST PRACTICES
CRITICAL SAFETY WARNINGS:
-
Corrosive: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Do not handle without protective equipment.
-
Flammable: Flammable liquid and vapor. Keep away from heat, sparks, and open flames.
-
Incompatibility with Metals: Corrosive to many metals; may release hydrogen gas.
-
Vapor Hazard: Vapors irritate respiratory tract; ensure good ventilation.
-
Do Not Induce Vomiting: If swallowed, do not induce vomiting.
BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS:
-
Suitable Materials: Use stainless steel 316L, HDPE, or glass equipment.
-
Neutralization: In case of spill, neutralize with sodium bicarbonate or lime.
-
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area in acid-resistant containers.
-
Food Applications: Generally used in foods in the form of propionate salts (sodium, calcium).
-
Solution Preparation: Add acid to water (never the reverse).
LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
The information provided in this document is presented in good faith based on our current knowledge and experience; however, since all usage conditions are beyond our control, it does not constitute a binding specification or warranty. This Technical Data Sheet is for informational purposes only. Users are obligated to test the suitability for their own applications. For complete safety, storage, handling, transportation, disposal, and regulatory compliance information, refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier.
