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CAS Number: 110-44-1
Synonyms: 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (E,E)-2,4-Hexadienoic acid, Hexa-2,4-dienoic acid, 2-Propenylacrylic acid, Panosorb, Sorbistat, E 200
Chemical Profile
Sorbic acid is a natural, straight-chained fatty acid with the molecular formula C₆H₈O₂ and molecular weight of 112.13 g/mol . It appears as a fine white to off-white, free-flowing crystalline powder . The IUPAC name is (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid .
Physical Properties
Melting Point: 132-135°C
Boiling Point: 228°C
Flash Point: 127°C
Density: 1.2 g/ml
Vapor Pressure: 0.134 mm Hg
Solubility: Barely soluble in water (about 1% at 20°C, and 4% at 90°C); somewhat better soluble in plant oils and propylene glycol (1% at 20°C and 10% at 90°C)
pH: 3.3 (1.6g/l, H₂O, 20°C)
Natural Occurrence and Production
Sorbic acid is naturally derived from mountain ash berries or can be manufactured synthetically . For equal preservative power, only three parts of sorbic acid must be used to equal four parts of potassium sorbate . Purity is typically >99% (FCC grade) .
Mechanism of Action
Sorbic acid exerts its preservative effect by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. It has antimicrobial activity against molds, yeast, and aerophilic bacteria . It works best at an acidic pH of 4.5 or lower, and is effective in a wide pH range of 2.5-7 .
Specialized Scientific Applications
Triplet State Chemistry Probe: Sorbic acid (trans,trans-hexadienoic acid) has been developed as a probe for the quantification of the formation rate, overall solution scavenging rate, and steady-state concentrations of triplet-excited states of organic compounds in photochemical processes . It acts as an excellent triplet probe because:
As a carboxylic acid, it is more soluble in water than other diene quenchers such as 1,3-pentadiene
Interaction with organic triplets results in HDA isomerization, allowing quantification of reaction pathways
No need for direct detection of specific natural organic matter (NOM) or triplet spectra
It only absorbs weakly in the near-UV region and does not absorb in the visible region, so it does not compete with target sensitizers for photons
Applications
Food Industry:
Preservative for foods, tobacco, and beverages
Mold and yeast inhibitor
Fungistatic agent
Inhibits fermentation in wines
Used to impregnate polyethylene wrappers for raw farm products
Animal feed preservative and growth stimulant
Cosmetic and Personal Care Products:
Sorbic acid is used in all kinds of cosmetic products including :
Creams and lotions
Shampoos
Makeup products
Sunscreen products
The independent Cosmetic Ingredient Review board has ruled sorbic acid safe as used up to 0.6% in cosmetics . It is considered a suitable preservative for cosmetics because it is strong yet non-irritating .
Industrial Applications:
Used in drying oils
Used in alkyd-type coatings
Improves milling characteristics of cold rubber
Used in silk-screen inks
Regulatory and Safety Status
The Food and Drug Administration and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel have both assessed the safety of sorbic acid and determined it to be safe for use in food, cosmetics, and personal care products
CAS Number: 110-44-1
Synonyms: 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (E,E)-2,4-Hexadienoic acid, Hexa-2,4-dienoic acid, 2-Propenylacrylic acid, Panosorb, Sorbistat, E 200
Chemical Profile
Sorbic acid is a natural, straight-chained fatty acid with the molecular formula C₆H₈O₂ and molecular weight of 112.13 g/mol . It appears as a fine white to off-white, free-flowing crystalline powder . The IUPAC name is (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid .
Physical Properties
Melting Point: 132-135°C
Boiling Point: 228°C
Flash Point: 127°C
Density: 1.2 g/ml
Vapor Pressure: 0.134 mm Hg
Solubility: Barely soluble in water (about 1% at 20°C, and 4% at 90°C); somewhat better soluble in plant oils and propylene glycol (1% at 20°C and 10% at 90°C)
pH: 3.3 (1.6g/l, H₂O, 20°C)
Natural Occurrence and Production
Sorbic acid is naturally derived from mountain ash berries or can be manufactured synthetically . For equal preservative power, only three parts of sorbic acid must be used to equal four parts of potassium sorbate . Purity is typically >99% (FCC grade) .
Mechanism of Action
Sorbic acid exerts its preservative effect by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. It has antimicrobial activity against molds, yeast, and aerophilic bacteria . It works best at an acidic pH of 4.5 or lower, and is effective in a wide pH range of 2.5-7 .
Specialized Scientific Applications
Triplet State Chemistry Probe: Sorbic acid (trans,trans-hexadienoic acid) has been developed as a probe for the quantification of the formation rate, overall solution scavenging rate, and steady-state concentrations of triplet-excited states of organic compounds in photochemical processes . It acts as an excellent triplet probe because:
As a carboxylic acid, it is more soluble in water than other diene quenchers such as 1,3-pentadiene
Interaction with organic triplets results in HDA isomerization, allowing quantification of reaction pathways
No need for direct detection of specific natural organic matter (NOM) or triplet spectra
It only absorbs weakly in the near-UV region and does not absorb in the visible region, so it does not compete with target sensitizers for photons
Applications
Food Industry:
Preservative for foods, tobacco, and beverages
Mold and yeast inhibitor
Fungistatic agent
Inhibits fermentation in wines
Used to impregnate polyethylene wrappers for raw farm products
Animal feed preservative and growth stimulant
Cosmetic and Personal Care Products:
Sorbic acid is used in all kinds of cosmetic products including :
Creams and lotions
Shampoos
Makeup products
Sunscreen products
The independent Cosmetic Ingredient Review board has ruled sorbic acid safe as used up to 0.6% in cosmetics . It is considered a suitable preservative for cosmetics because it is strong yet non-irritating .
Industrial Applications:
Used in drying oils
Used in alkyd-type coatings
Improves milling characteristics of cold rubber
Used in silk-screen inks
Regulatory and Safety Status
The Food and Drug Administration and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel have both assessed the safety of sorbic acid and determined it to be safe for use in food, cosmetics, and personal care products
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT SORBIC ACID
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
