Catalog Number
ACMA00017165
Product Name
Propionic Acid
Description
Propionic acid is a colorless liquid with a sharp rancid odor. Produces irritating vapor. (USCG, 1999);Liquid;Colourless or slightly yellowish, oily liquid with a slightly pungent odour;Liquid;Liquid;OILY COLOURLESS LIQUID WITH PUNGENT ODOUR.;oily liquid/slightly pungent, rancid odour;Colorless, oily liquid with a pungent, disagreeable, rancid odor.;Colorless, oily liquid with a pungent, disagreeable, rancid odor. [Note: A solid below 5°F.]
Molecular Weight
74.08g/mol
Molecular Formula
C3H6O2;C3H6O2;CH3CH2COOH;CH3CH2COOH;C3H6O2
InChI
InChI=1S/C3H6O2/c1-2-3(4)5/h2H2,1H3,(H,4,5)
InChI Key
XBDQKXXYIPTUBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Boiling Point
285.3 °F at 760 mm Hg (NTP, 1992);141.1 °C;141.1 °C;141 °C;286°F;286°F
Melting Point
-6.7 °F (NTP, 1992);-20.7 °C;Mp -21.5 °;-21.5 °C;-20.7°C;-21 °C;-6.7°F;5°F
Flash Point
130 °F (NTP, 1992);126 °F (52 °C) (Closed cup);54 °C c.c., 57 °C o.c.;126°F;126°F
Density
0.995 at 68 °F (USCG, 1999);d1515 1;Specific gravity: 0.993 g/cu cm at 20 °C;Relative density (water = 1): 0.99;0.993-0.997 (20?°/20?°);0.99;0.99
Solubility
greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72° F (NTP, 1992);13.50 M;1000 mg/mL at 25 °C;Sol in alcohol, ether, chloroform.;Miscible with ethanol; soluble in diethyl ether; slightly soluble in chloroform;In water, 1.0X10+6 mg/L at 25 °C /miscible/;1000.0 mg/mL;Solubility in water: very good;miscible with water, alcohol, organic solvents;Miscible
Application
Propionic acid, known chemically as CH3CH2COOH, serves multiple roles across various industries due to its unique properties as a short-chain saturated fatty acid. Primarily, it is employed as an antifungal and antimicrobial agent, notably in food preservation, where it acts as a safeguard against mold while maintaining the food's pH level through its salts - sodium, calcium, and potassium propionates. Its versatility extends beyond the food industry, contributing as a key ingredient in nickel electroplating solutions, perfumes, artificial flavors, and pharmaceuticals. Despite its strong and pungent odor in liquid form, propionic acid's ability to dissolve in water and alcohol, combined with its nonirritating and nontoxic nature, makes it valuable for oral and topical pharmaceutical applications and as an esterifying agent. With its historical significance highlighted by Johann Gottlieb's discovery in the 19th century and its early misidentification as a universal fatty acid by Jean-Baptiste Dumas, propionic acid remains an essential compound for both human consumption and animal feedstocks, cementing its role as a crucial additive and preservative.
Color/Form
Colorless, oily liquid [Note: A solid below 5 degrees F];Clear, colorless liquid
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count
1
EC Number
201-176-3;201-176-3;273-598-6;273-079-4
Heat of Vaporization
418.7 kJ/kg
Log P
0.33 (LogP);0.33;log Kow = 0.33;0.33;0.33
MeSH Entry Terms
chromium propionate;ethylformic acid;lithium propanoate;Monoprop;potassium propionate;propionic acid;propionic acid, zinc salt;zinc propionate
Monoisotopic Mass
74.036779g/mol
Odor
Slightly pungent disagreeable, rancid odor
Other Experimental
RATIO OF SPECIFIC HEATS OF VAPOR (GAS): 1.103; LATENT HEAT OF VAPORIZATION: 248 BTU/LB= 138 CAL/G= 5.78X10+5 J/KG;Azeotrope with water, bp 98.98 °C, contains 17.7% acid; with toluene, bp 110.45 °C, contains 3% acid; with ortho-xylene, bp 135.4 °C, contains 43% acid; with ethylbenzene, 131.1 °C, contains 28% acid.;Can be salted out of water soln by the addition of calcium chloride or other salts.;DENSITY OF SATURATED AIR: 1.02 (AIR= 1);Critical density: 0.315 g/ml;Specific heat = 2.34 J/g;Solid propionic acid forms monoclinic crystals and undergoes an increase in volume on melting of 12.2%.;Vapor pressure: 3.3 mm Hg at 27.6 °C;Vapor pressure: 20 mmHg at 125 °F;Powder, usually with slight odor. Freely soluble in water; slightly sol in alcohol. /Barium salt monohydrate/;Henry's Law constant = 4.45X10-7 atm-cu m/mole at 25 °C;Hydroxyl radical reaction rate constant = 1.22X10-12 cu cm/molec-sec at 25 °C
Refractive Index
Index of refraction: 1.3869 @ 20 °C;1.384-1.389
UN Number
1848;1848;1848;1848;1848
Vapor Density
2.56 (NTP, 1992) (Relative to Air);2.56 (Air = 1);Relative vapor density (air = 1): 2.6;2.56
Vapor Pressure
2.9 mm Hg at 68 °F ; 10 mm Hg at 103.5° F (NTP, 1992);3.53 mmHg;3.53 mm Hg at 25 °C;Vapor pressure, Pa at 20 °C: 390;3 mmHg;3 mmHg
Viscosity
cP: 1.175 at 15 °C; 1.020 at 25 °C; 0.956 at 30 °C; 0.668 at 60 °C; 0.495 at 90 °C
