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Potassium benzoate

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Potassium benzoate is a widely used ingredient in cosmetics, personal care, and skincare formulations. Depending on its function, it may serve as a moisturizer, preservative, emulsifier, or active ingredient to enhance the overall effectiveness and performance of a product.

Potassium benzoate (Wikipedia)

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.

Potassium benzoate
Names
IUPAC name
Potassium benzoate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.008.621 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 209-481-3
E number E212 (preservatives)
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C7H6O2.K/c8-7(9)6-4-2-1-3-5-6;/h1-5H,(H,8,9);/q;+1/p-1 checkY
    Key: XAEFZNCEHLXOMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M checkY
  • InChI=1/C7H6O2.K/c8-7(9)6-4-2-1-3-5-6;/h1-5H,(H,8,9);/q;+1/p-1
    Key: XAEFZNCEHLXOMS-REWHXWOFAQ
  • [K+].[O-]C(=O)c1ccccc1
Properties
C7H5KO2
Molar mass 160.213 g·mol−1
Appearance White hygroscopic solid
Odor Odorless
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)
Solubility in other solvents Soluble in ethanol
Slightly soluble in methanol
Insoluble in ether
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Low toxicity
GHS labelling:
GHS07: Exclamation mark
Warning
H315, H319
P264, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oilInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
1
0
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).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

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.

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