CAS 65-85-0 · Aromatic Carboxylic Acid · E210
Benzoic Acid
Benzenecarboxylic Acid / E210 · C₇H₆O₂ · MW 122.12 g/mol
Benzoic acid is a white crystalline aromatic carboxylic acid with a faint, pleasant balsamic odor. It is one of the oldest and most widely used food preservatives (E210), a key feedstock for sodium and potassium benzoate production, and a versatile intermediate in pharmaceutical, polymer, and specialty chemical manufacturing. Texas-Chem supplies benzoic acid in industrial, FCC food grade, USP pharmaceutical, and ACS reagent grades in bags, drums, super sacks, and bulk.
Formula
C₇H₆O₂
Melting Point
122.4 °C (252.3 °F)
Appearance
White crystalline solid
Pack Sizes
Bags · Drums · Bulk
Structural Formula
Aromatic benzene ring with a carboxylic acid (–COOH) substituent at the 1-position
Safety & Regulatory
- NFPA Health
- 2 — Moderate hazard
- NFPA Flammability
- 1 — Slight hazard
- NFPA Reactivity
- 0 — Stable
- OSHA PEL (TWA)
- Not established
- ACGIH TLV (TWA)
- Not established
- Flash Point
- 121 °C — Combustible solid
- DOT Hazard Class
- Not regulated (flash pt. >60 °C)
- UN Number
- Not assigned
- Packing Group
- Not applicable
SDS available upon request. Benzoic acid has a favorable safety profile — not regulated as a hazardous material under DOT. May cause mild skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. Use standard industrial hygiene practices and avoid dust inhalation when handling solid material.
Grades & Packaging
Available Grades
Pack Sizes
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Molecular Formula | C₇H₆O₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 122.12 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 65-85-0 |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid; needle-like crystals |
| Melting Point | 122.4 °C (252.3 °F) |
| Boiling Point | 249.2 °C (480.6 °F) |
| Flash Point | 121 °C (250 °F) — Combustible solid |
| Density | 1.2659 g/cm³ at 15 °C |
| Solubility in Water | 3.4 g/L at 25 °C (slightly soluble) |
| Solubility in Ethanol | Freely soluble |
| pKa | 4.20 at 25 °C |
| Odor | Faint, pleasant, balsamic / almond-like |
Industrial Applications
Food Preservative (E210)
FCC and food-grade benzoic acid is approved as a direct food preservative (E210 / FDA 21 CFR 184.1021) effective against yeasts, molds, and certain bacteria. It is most active in acidic foods (pH < 4.5) where it exists predominantly in the undissociated acid form. Used in beverages, fruit juices, pickles, condiments, jams, and margarine at permitted levels typically up to 0.1%.
Sodium & Potassium Benzoate Production
Primary feedstock for manufacturing sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate — the most widely used food and beverage preservatives globally. Neutralization with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide yields the corresponding benzoate salt, which is more water-soluble and easier to handle in liquid food and beverage formulations.
Pharmaceutical Synthesis & Excipients
USP-grade benzoic acid serves as an antimicrobial preservative in topical pharmaceutical preparations, ointments, and lotions. Also used as an intermediate in the synthesis of benzoyl chloride, benzaldehyde, benzoate esters, and numerous active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Historically used in Whitfield's ointment for antifungal treatment.
Plasticizers & Polymer Additives
Benzoic acid and its esters (glycol dibenzoate, isodecyl benzoate) are used as plasticizers in PVC, cellulose acetate, and other polymer systems. Provides good compatibility, low volatility, and improved low-temperature flexibility. Also used as a chain-terminating agent and molecular weight regulator in nylon and polyamide polymerization.
Corrosion Inhibitor & Metal Treatment
Effective vapor-phase and contact corrosion inhibitor for ferrous metals. Used in volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) packaging films, papers, and emitters to protect steel, iron, and other metals during storage and shipping. Also used in metalworking fluids, rust-preventive coatings, and as a passivating agent in cooling water treatment formulations.
Dyes, Perfumes & Chemical Synthesis
Versatile aromatic building block in the synthesis of dyes, pigments, perfume compounds, and specialty chemicals. Benzoic acid is a precursor to benzoyl chloride (via reaction with thionyl chloride or PCl₃), which is a key acylating agent in organic synthesis. Also used in alkyd resin formulations to improve drying speed and hardness in coatings.
Why Source Benzoic Acid from Texas-Chem?
- 35+ years supplying industrial acids and specialty chemicals to Texas manufacturers
- Industrial, FCC food grade, USP pharmaceutical, and ACS reagent grades available
- Flexible packaging from 50-lb bags to super sacks and bulk
- Competitive pricing backed by top-tier producer relationships
- Technical support, SDS documentation, and CoA with every order
- Same-day quotes for standard quantities