25 Benzoic Acid Uses: Facts You Should Know!

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Benzoic acid is a chemical compound with the chemical formula C7H6O2 (C6H5COOH). Benzoic acid has molar mass 122.123 g/mol. Let us study the uses of Benzoic acid in brief. 

  • In soft drinks and fruit juices, benzoic acid is used as a food preservative, maintaining an acidic pH level.
  • Phenol can be manufactured using benzoic acid.
  • In face wash, toothpaste, lipstick, and lip gloss, mouthwashes, benzoic acid is used as an important ingredient.
  • Benzoic acid is also used to produce dyes and perfumes.

Let us take a look at the application of different salt and ester of benzoic acid in this article.

Sodium Benzoate Uses

The sodium salt of benzoic acid is called sodium benzoate with the formula C6H5COONa. Sodium benzoate is a white crystalline compound with a molar mass of 144.11 g/mol. The uses of sodium benzoate are described below.

  • Sodium benzoate is used as a preservative in food such as pickles, salad dressing, fruit juices, sauces, condiments etc.
  • Sodium benzoate is also used as a preservative in hair products, moisturizers, baby wipes, sunscreen etc.
  • In photo processing, Sodium benzoate is used as a stabilizer.
  • Sodium benzoate also plays an important role in fireworks, where Sodium benzoate acts as fuel in a whistle mix.

Potassium Benzoate Uses

Potassium benzoate is potassium salt of benzoic acid with formula C6H5COOK and molar mass 160.213 g/mol. It is formed by replacing the proton from the benzoic acid carboxyl group with a potassium ion. Uses of Potassium benzoate clear out below.

  • Potassium benzoate is used in the baking industry.

Calcium Benzoate Uses

Calcium benzoate is formed after the replacement of proton from the carboxyl group of benzoic acid by calcium ion. Calcium benzoate is represented by the formula Ca(C7H5O2)2 and has a molar mass of 282.31 g/mol. Calcium benzoate uses are predicted below.

  • Calcium benzoate is used in making bread and other product which is formed in the bakery.
  • To reduce the hardness of water, Calcium benzoate is used.

Methyl Benzoate Uses       

Methyl benzoate is an ester formed by the condensation of benzoic acid and methanol. It has the chemical formula C6H5CO2CH3 with a molar mass of 136.15 g/mol. Methyl benzoate uses are mentioned below.

  • Methyl benzoate is used as a flavouring agent due to its pleasant smell.
  • Methyl benzoate plays an important role in perfumery.
  • Insects such as orchid bees can be attracted by using methyl benzoate.

Ethyl Benzoate uses

Ethyl benzoate is an ester with the chemical formula C9H10O2. Condensation of benzoic acid and ethanol results in the formation of ethyl benzoate. It has molar mass 150.17 g/mol. Ethyl benzoate can be used in various daily use items like

  • Ethyl benzoate is used as a fragrance component in many cosmetics and personal care products.
  • Ethyl benzoate is used in deodorants.
  • Ethyl benzoate is a major component of artificial fruit flavour.

Hydroxybenzoic acid Uses

Hydroxybenzoic acid is a phenolic derivative of benzoic acid. The phenolic group may be attached to the ortho, para and meta position of the benzene ring. Depending upon attachment to the above three positions, it is named as

2-Hydroxybenzoic acid (If phenolic group attached to ortho position)

3- Hydroxybenzoic acid (If phenolic group attached to meta position)

4- Hydroxybenzoic acid (If phenolic group attached to para position)

Out of this, mainly 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid is used as below.

  • In organic synthesis 4– Hydroxybenzoic acid has the main role.
  • Parabens used as a preservative in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are prepared from 4– Hydroxybenzoic acid.
  • 4– Hydroxybenzoic acid is the ingredient of paint additives and coating additives.
  • In electronic products also, 4– Hydroxybenzoic acid is used.

Aminobenzoic acid Uses

Amino derivative of benzoic acid called Aminobenzoic acid. It has the formula H2NC6H4CO2H. As mentioned above, it is also present in ortho, para, and meta form.4-Aminobenzoic acid has a molar mass of 137.14 g/mol. Uses of 4-Aminobenzoic acid are

  • The main use of 4-Aminobenzoic acid is in sunscreen lotion.

Nitrobenzoic acid Uses

4-nitrobenzoic acid is a compound with formula 4-(NO2) C6H4CO2H. In the 4-nitrobenzoic acid, the nitro group is present at the 4-position, which is a para position. It is a yellow solid with a molar mass of 167.1189 g/mol. Uses of 4-nitrobenzoic acid are given below.

  • 4-nitrobenzoic acid is used as a precursor to 4-Aminobenzoic acid.
  • 3-nitrobenzoic acid is used as Dye intermediate.
  • 5-amino-2-hydroxybenzoic acid can be prepared from 3-nitrobenzoic acid.

Conclusion

This article predicted the uses of Benzoic acid and its derivatives. Benzoic acid has a pleasant odor. The density of benzoic acid is 1.2659 g/cm3 at 150C and 1.0749 g/cm3 at 1300C. It is slightly soluble in water but soluble in organic solvents like benzene, acetone etc.