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Benzoic acid

Benzoic acid , C7H6O2 (or C6H5COOH), is a colorless crystalline solid and a simple aromatic carboxylic acid. The name is derived from gum benzoin, which was for a long time its only known source. Benzoic acid occurs naturally in many plants and serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of many secondary metabolites. Salts of benzoic acid are used as food preservatives and benzoic acid is an important precursor for the industrial synthesis of many other organic substances. The salts and esters of benzoic acid are known as benzoates .

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Further Information

Names

Preferred IUPAC name: Benzoic acid

Systematic IUPAC nameBenzenecarboxylic acid

Other names

Carboxybenzene; ; Dracylic acid; Phenylmethanoic acid

Identifiers

CAS Number: 65-85-0

JSmol: Interactive image

3DMet: B00053

Beilstein Reference: 636131

ChEBI: CHEBI:30746

ChEMBL: ChEMBL541

ChemSpider: 238

DrugBank: DB03793

ECHA InfoCard: 100.000.562

EC Number: 200-618-2

E number: (preservatives)

Gmelin Reference: 2946

KEGG: D00038

MeSH: benzoic+acid

PubChem: 243

RTECS number: DG0875000

UNII: 8SKN0B0MIM

Properties

Chemical formula: C7H6O2

Molar mass: 122.12 g·mol

Appearance: Colorless crystalline solid

Odor: faint, pleasant odor

Density: 1.2659 g/cm (15 °C)
1.0749 g/cm (130 °C)33

Melting point: 122 °C (252 °F; 395 K)

Boiling point: 250 °C (482 °F; 523 K)
370 °C (698 °F; 643 K)
decomposes

Solubility in water: 1.7 g/L (0 °C)
2.7 g/L (18 °C)
3.44 g/L (25 °C)
5.51 g/L (40 °C)
21.45 g/L (75 °C)
56.31 g/L (100 °C)

Solubility: acetone

Solubility: 30 g/100 g (-18 °C)
32.1 g/100 g (-13 °C)
71.5 g/100 g (23 °C)

Solubility: 25.4 g/100 g (-18 °C)
47.1 g/100 g (15 °C)
52.4 g/100 g (19.2 °C)
55.9 g/100 g (23 °C)

Solubility: 54.2 g/100 g (20 °C)

Solubility: 4.22 g/100 g (25 °C)

Solubility: 55.3 g/100 g (25 °C)

log : 1.87

Vapor pressure: 0.16 Pa (25 °C)
0.19 kPa (100 °C)
22.6 kPa (200 °C)

K: 4.202

Magnetic susceptibility: -70.28·10 cm/mol−63

Refractive index: 1.5397 (20 °C)
1.504 (132 °C)

Viscosity: 1.26 mPa (130 °C)

Structure

Crystal structure: Monoclinic

Molecular shape: planar

Dipole moment: D

Thermochemistry

Specific
heat capacity: 146.7 J/mol·K

Std molar
entropy: 167.6 J/mol·K

Std enthalpy of
formation: -385.2 kJ/mol

Std enthalpy of
combustion: -3228 kJ/mol

Hazards

hazards: Irritant

Safety data sheet: JT Baker

GHS pictograms:

GHS signal word: Danger

GHS hazard statements: H318 H335

GHS precautionary statements: P261 P280 P305+351+338

NFPA 704:

Flash point: 121.5 °C (250.7 °F; 394.6 K)

Autoignition
temperature: 571 °C (1,060 °F; 844 K)

median dose: 1700 mg/kg (rat, oral)

Related compounds

carboxylic acids: Hydroxybenzoic acids

Related compounds: Benzaldehyde

Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their(at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their(at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).