Calcium propionate
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
Calcium propanoate
| |
| Other names
Calcium dipropanoate
Calcium dipropionate E 282 Mycoban | |
| Properties | |
| C6H10O4Ca Ca(C2H5COO)2 | |
| Molar mass | 186.2192 g/mol |
| Appearance | White solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Melting point | 250 °C (482 °F; 523 K) (decomposes) |
| Boiling point | Decomposes |
| 49 g/100 mL (0 °C) 55.8 g/100 mL (100 °C) | |
| Solubility | Reacts with acids Slightly soluble in ethanol, methanol Insoluble in acetone, benzene, chloroform, toluene, xylene |
| Vapor pressure | ~0 mmHg |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Flash point | Non-flammable |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
|
2,350 mg/kg (mouse, oral) 3,920 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds
|
Propionic acid |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Calcium propionate or calcium propanoate is the calcium salt of propanoic acid. It has the formula Ca(C2H5COO)2.
Contents
[hide]Properties
Chemical
Calcium propionate reacts with strong acids to liberate propionic acid
- Ca(C2H5COO)2 + 2 H+ → Ca+2 + 2 C2H5COOH
Physical
Calcium propanoate is a white crystalline solid, soluble in water, but less so in organic solvents.
Availability
Calcium propionate is sold in some food stores as preservative. It is often sold in bulk.
It can also be bought online cheap.
Preparation
Calcium propionate can be prepared by reacting propionic acid with calcium hydroxide.
- 2 C2H5COOH + Ca(OH)+2 → Ca(C2H5COO)2 + 2 H2O
The haloform reaction between calcium hypochlorite and methyl ethyl ketone gives calcium propanoate. Purification of calcium propanoate however, is difficult due to the large amounts of impurities and side products.
Projects
- Food preservative/mold inhibitor
- Make propanoic acid
Handling
Safety
Calcium propionate has low toxicity and it's approved as food preservative.
Storage
In closed bottles, away from strong acidic vapors.
Disposal
No special disposal is required, can be poured down the drain or dumped in trash.
