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Sodium propanoate or sodium propionate is the sodium salt of propionic acid which has the chemical formula Na(C2H5COO). This white crystalline solid is deliquescent in moist air.[2]

Structure

Structure of sodium propionate, with methyl groups and H atoms omitted.[3] Color code: red = O, blue = Na.

Anhydrous sodium propionate is a polymeric structure, featuring trigonal prismatic Na+ centers bonded to six oxygen ligands provided by the carboxylates. A layered structure is observed, with the hydrophobic ethyl groups projecting into the layered galleries. With hydrated sodium propionate, some of these Na-carboxylate linkages are displaced by water.

Preparation

It is produced by the reaction of propionic acid and sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide.[4]

Uses

It is used as a food preservative and is represented by the food labeling E number E281 in Europe; it is used primarily as a mold inhibitor in bakery products. It is approved for use as a food additive in the EU,[5] USA[6] and Australia and New Zealand[7] (where it is listed by its INS number 281).

Reactions

Decomposition takes place via ketonization, yielding the symmetric ketone (3-pentanone) and sodium carbonate:[4]

2Na(O2CEt) → Na2CO3 + Et(CO)Et

Some side reactions resulting in the release of carbon dioxide are observed.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ Merck Index, 11th Edition, 8623.
  2. ^ a b c PubChem. “Sodium Propionate”. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  3. ^ Fábry, Jan; Samolová, Erika (2020). “Layered alkali propanoates M+(C2H5COO)−; M+= Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+“. Acta Crystallographica Section E. 76 (9): 1508–1513. Bibcode:2020AcCrE..76.1508F. doi:10.1107/S2056989020011469. PMC 7472758. PMID 32939309.
  4. ^ a b c Grivel, J. -C. (2018-11-01). “New insights into the thermal behavior and decomposition of sodium propionate”. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis. 136: 62–68. doi:10.1016/j.jaap.2018.10.023. ISSN 0165-2370.
  5. ^ UK Food Standards Agency: “Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers”. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  6. ^ US Food and Drug Administration: “Listing of Food Additives Status Part II”. Food and Drug Administration. Archived from the original on January 8, 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  7. ^ Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code“Standard 1.2.4 – Labelling of ingredients”. 8 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-27.