Difference between revisions of "Propionic acid"

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| ImageName =  
 
| ImageName =  
 
| ImageCaption = Propionic acid obtained by NurdRage from the haloform reaction of MEK and NaOCl
 
| ImageCaption = Propionic acid obtained by NurdRage from the haloform reaction of MEK and NaOCl
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| ImageFile1 =  
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| ImageFile1 = Propionic acid structural formula.png
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| ImageSize1 =  
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| ImageSize1 = 100
 
| ImageAlt1 =  
 
| ImageAlt1 =  
 
| ImageName1 =  
 
| ImageName1 =  
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| ImageCaption1 = Structure
 
| ImageFile2 =  
 
| ImageFile2 =  
 
| ImageSize2 =  
 
| ImageSize2 =  
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| 3DMet =  
 
| 3DMet =  
 
| Abbreviations =  
 
| Abbreviations =  
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| SMILES =  
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| SMILES = CCC(=O)O
 
   }}
 
   }}
 
| Section2 = {{Chembox Properties
 
| Section2 = {{Chembox Properties
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| Formula = C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub>O<sub>2</sub>
 
| Formula = C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub>O<sub>2</sub>
 
| HenryConstant = 4.45·10<sup>−4</sup> L·atm/mol
 
| HenryConstant = 4.45·10<sup>−4</sup> L·atm/mol
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| LogP = 0.33
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| LogP = 0.33
 
| MolarMass = 74.08 g/mol
 
| MolarMass = 74.08 g/mol
 
| MeltingPt =  
 
| MeltingPt =  
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| pKb =  
 
| pKb =  
 
| Solubility = 8.19 g/g (−28.3 °C)<br>34.97 g/g (−23.9 °C)<br>Miscible (> −19.3 °C)
 
| Solubility = 8.19 g/g (−28.3 °C)<br>34.97 g/g (−23.9 °C)<br>Miscible (> −19.3 °C)
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| SolubleOther = Miscible with [[chloroform]], [[dichloromethane]], [[diethyl ether]], [[ethanol]]
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| SolubleOther = Reacts with alkali, amines<br>Miscible with glacial [[acetic acid]], [[acetone]], [[benzene]], [[chloroform]], [[dichloromethane]], [[diethyl ether]], [[Dimethyl sulfoxide|DMSO]], [[ethanol]]
 
| Solvent =  
 
| Solvent =  
 
| VaporPressure = 0.32 kPa (20 °C)<br>0.47 kPa (25 °C)<br>9.62 kPa (100 °C)
 
| VaporPressure = 0.32 kPa (20 °C)<br>0.47 kPa (25 °C)<br>9.62 kPa (100 °C)
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None of the above however are cheap enough to be done at home.
 
None of the above however are cheap enough to be done at home.
  
−
A more accessible route involves the addition of a strong acid to calcium propionate. Conc. [[sulfuric acid]] may not be a good choice, as the resulting [[calcium sulfate]] will tend to trap the propionic acid in it's particulates. Calcium propionate is avaialable in many places as food preservative (E 282) and can be cheaply bought in large quantities.
+
A more accessible route involves the addition of a strong acid to [[calcium propionate]]. Conc. [[sulfuric acid]] may not be a good choice, as the resulting [[calcium sulfate]] will tend to trap the propionic acid in it's particulates, and it's difficult to filter. Instead, [[hydrochloric acid]] can be used, then the resulting propionic acid-water azeotrope is distilled, the propionic acid is converted again to salt, the solution is dried to recovered the solid propionate salt, which is further dried, then the pure propionic acid is obtained by adding conc. sulfuric acid to the salt and the propionic acid is distilled. Calcium propionate is available in many places as food preservative (E 282) and can be cheaply bought in large quantities, thus making this method attractive.
  
 
Propionic acid is a side product from the [[haloform reaction]] of [[methyl ethyl ketone]] with bleach. Since bleach is diluted, you will end up with a very diluted solution of sodium propionate. Depending on how much liquid you want to distill, you can either concentrate the solution by heating it at 90 °C for many hours until the volume of liquid is low enough, add HCl then distill, or you can simply add the acid to the diluted solution and fractionally distill the propionic acid, like NurdRage did<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDMuQtglPIw</ref>. Propanoic acid forms an azeotrope with water consisting of 17% CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>COOH with the rest being water which boils at 99.96 °C, meaning the distillate will be very diluted propanoic acid. Neutralize the diluted propionic acid with baking soda to form sodium propionate again. Remove the water by boiling away the water and dry the propanoate. Once dried, add conc. [[sulfuric acid]] (98%) and fractionally distill the resulting acid, as impurities may still be in the crude propionate salt. Dry the crude propionic acid with anh. [[sodium sulfate]] and distill it again.
 
Propionic acid is a side product from the [[haloform reaction]] of [[methyl ethyl ketone]] with bleach. Since bleach is diluted, you will end up with a very diluted solution of sodium propionate. Depending on how much liquid you want to distill, you can either concentrate the solution by heating it at 90 °C for many hours until the volume of liquid is low enough, add HCl then distill, or you can simply add the acid to the diluted solution and fractionally distill the propionic acid, like NurdRage did<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDMuQtglPIw</ref>. Propanoic acid forms an azeotrope with water consisting of 17% CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>COOH with the rest being water which boils at 99.96 °C, meaning the distillate will be very diluted propanoic acid. Neutralize the diluted propionic acid with baking soda to form sodium propionate again. Remove the water by boiling away the water and dry the propanoate. Once dried, add conc. [[sulfuric acid]] (98%) and fractionally distill the resulting acid, as impurities may still be in the crude propionate salt. Dry the crude propionic acid with anh. [[sodium sulfate]] and distill it again.
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Another method involves the reaction of an ethyl magnesium halide with [[carbon dioxide]]. This produces propionic acid which can be recovered from the reaction mass in a similar way to the method above (except less water).
 
Another method involves the reaction of an ethyl magnesium halide with [[carbon dioxide]]. This produces propionic acid which can be recovered from the reaction mass in a similar way to the method above (except less water).
  
−
Propionibacterium is known to produce propionic acid (it gives sweat its bad smell), though it produces too little to be a viuble source.
+
Propionibacterium is known to produce propionic acid (it gives sweat its bad smell), though it produces too little to be a viable source.
  
 
==Projects==
 
==Projects==
 
*Make ethyl propionate
 
*Make ethyl propionate
 
*Make calcium propionate
 
*Make calcium propionate
 +
*Make cellulose-acetate-propionate thermoplastic
  
 
==Handling==
 
==Handling==
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[[Category:Volatile chemicals]]
 
[[Category:Volatile chemicals]]
 
[[Category:Liquids]]
 
[[Category:Liquids]]
 +
[[Category:Irritants]]

Latest revision as of 19:14, 12 September 2021

Propionic acid
Propionic acid by NurdRage.jpg
Propionic acid obtained by NurdRage from the haloform reaction of MEK and NaOCl
Propionic acid structural formula.png
Structure
Names
IUPAC name
Propanoic acid
Other names
Carboxyethane
Ethanecarboxylic acid
Ethylformic acid
Methylacetic acid
Identifiers
Jmol-3D images Image
Properties
C3H6O2
Molar mass 74.08 g/mol
Appearance Colorless liquid
Odor Unpleasant, rancid, body-odor-like
Density 0.98797 g/cm3
Melting point −20.5 °C (−4.9 °F; 252.7 K)
Boiling point 141.15 °C (286.07 °F; 414.30 K)
8.19 g/g (−28.3 °C)
34.97 g/g (−23.9 °C)
Miscible (> −19.3 °C)
Solubility Reacts with alkali, amines
Miscible with glacial acetic acid, acetone, benzene, chloroform, dichloromethane, diethyl ether, DMSO, ethanol
Vapor pressure 0.32 kPa (20 °C)
0.47 kPa (25 °C)
9.62 kPa (100 °C)
Acidity (pKa) 4.88
Thermochemistry
191 J·mol-1·K-1
−510.8 kJ/mol
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Flash point 54 °C
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
1,370 mg/kg (mouse, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds
 Acetic acid
Butyric acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Propionic acid or propanoic acid is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid with chemical formula CH3CH2COOH. It is a clear liquid with a pungent and unpleasant smell, somewhat resembling body odor.

Properties

Chemical

Propionic acid reacts with bases to form salts known as propionates. Reaction with calcium hydroxide gives calcium propionate.

2 CH3CH2COOH + Ca(OH)2 → Ca(CH3CH2COO)2 + 2 H2O

Physical

Propionic acid is a colorless liquid, miscible with water and organic solvents. It has a rancid smell, reminiscent of body sweat. It can be salted out from solution by adding salt.

Availability

Propionic acid is sold by chemical suppliers. It can also be bought from eBay.

Preparation

Propionic acid is industrially produced by several methods.

One route involves hydrocarboxylation of ethylene using nickel carbonyl as catalyst.

Another involves aerobic oxidation of propionaldehyde, at temperatures between 40–50 °C.

None of the above however are cheap enough to be done at home.

A more accessible route involves the addition of a strong acid to calcium propionate. Conc. sulfuric acid may not be a good choice, as the resulting calcium sulfate will tend to trap the propionic acid in it's particulates, and it's difficult to filter. Instead, hydrochloric acid can be used, then the resulting propionic acid-water azeotrope is distilled, the propionic acid is converted again to salt, the solution is dried to recovered the solid propionate salt, which is further dried, then the pure propionic acid is obtained by adding conc. sulfuric acid to the salt and the propionic acid is distilled. Calcium propionate is available in many places as food preservative (E 282) and can be cheaply bought in large quantities, thus making this method attractive.

Propionic acid is a side product from the haloform reaction of methyl ethyl ketone with bleach. Since bleach is diluted, you will end up with a very diluted solution of sodium propionate. Depending on how much liquid you want to distill, you can either concentrate the solution by heating it at 90 °C for many hours until the volume of liquid is low enough, add HCl then distill, or you can simply add the acid to the diluted solution and fractionally distill the propionic acid, like NurdRage did[1]. Propanoic acid forms an azeotrope with water consisting of 17% CH3CH2COOH with the rest being water which boils at 99.96 °C, meaning the distillate will be very diluted propanoic acid. Neutralize the diluted propionic acid with baking soda to form sodium propionate again. Remove the water by boiling away the water and dry the propanoate. Once dried, add conc. sulfuric acid (98%) and fractionally distill the resulting acid, as impurities may still be in the crude propionate salt. Dry the crude propionic acid with anh. sodium sulfate and distill it again.

Oxidation of propanol with a strong oxidizer, such as potassium permanganate will give propionic acid.

Another method involves the reaction of an ethyl magnesium halide with carbon dioxide. This produces propionic acid which can be recovered from the reaction mass in a similar way to the method above (except less water).

Propionibacterium is known to produce propionic acid (it gives sweat its bad smell), though it produces too little to be a viable source.

Projects

  • Make ethyl propionate
  • Make calcium propionate
  • Make cellulose-acetate-propionate thermoplastic

Handling

Safety

Concentrated propionic acid is corrosive and should be handled with proper protection. It also has a bad smell and work should be done outside or in a fumehood.

Storage

Propanoic acid should be kept in sealed bottles, to avoid releasing its bad smell in the workplace. A teflon seal capped bottle is good enough.

Disposal

Should be neutralized with a base, such as sodium bicarbonate or calcium hydroxide/carbonate then poured down the drain.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDMuQtglPIw

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

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