Calcium propionate

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Calcium propionate
Names
IUPAC name
Calcium propanoate
Other names
Calcium dipropionate
Mycoban
Properties
C6H10O4Ca
Ca(C2H5COO)2
Molar mass 186.2192 g/mol
Appearance White solid
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 Slightly soluble in ethanol, methanol
Insoluble in acetone, benzene, chloroform, toluene
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
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.

Properties

Chemical

Calcium propionate reacts with strong acids to eliberate propionic acid

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 can also be bought online cheap.

Preparation

Calcium propionate can be prepared by reacting propionic acid with calcium hydroxide.

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
  • 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.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads