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Benzoic acid,
the simplest aromatic carboxylic acid containing carboxyl group bonded directly
to benzene ring, is a white, crystalline organic compound; melting at 122 C
(starting sublime at 100 C); boiling at 249 C; slightly soluble in water,
soluble in ethanol, very slightly soluble in benzene and acetone. Its aqua
solution is weakly acidic. It occurs naturally in many plants and resins.
Benzoic acid is also detected in animals. The most of commercial benzoic acid is
produced by the reaction of toluene with oxygen at temperatures around 200 C in
the liquid phase and in the presence of cobalt and manganese salts as catalysts.
It can be prepared also by the oxidation of benzene with concentrated sulphuric
acid or carbon dioxide in the presence of catalysts. Other methods are such as
by the oxidation of benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, cinnamic acid; by hydrolysis
of benzonitrile, benzoyl chloride. More than 90% of commercial benzoic acid is
converted directly to phenol and caprolactam. Its use in the production of
glycol benzoates for the application of plasticizer in adhesive formulations is
increasing. It is also used in the manufacture of alkyd resins and drilling mud
additive for crude oil recovery applications. It is used as a rubber
polymerization activators and retardants. Benzoic acid is converted to its salts
and esters for the use of preservative application in foods, drugs and personal
products. Sodium benzoate, sodium salt of benzoic acid, is used preferably as
one of the principal anti-microbial preservatives used in foods and beverages
(but it's concentration is limited usually not exceeding 0.1% because it is
poisonous), as it is about 200 times more soluble than benzoic acid. Sodium
Benzoate is also used in medications, anti-fermentation additives and tabletting
lubricant for pharmaceuticals. The industrial applications are as a corrosion
inhibitor, as an additive to automotive engine antifreeze coolants and in other
waterborne systems, as a nucleating agents for polyolefin, as a dye
intermediate, as a stabilizer in photographic processing and as a catalyst. Wide
range of benzoic esters are used as solvents, dying carrier, disinfectant
additive, penetrating agent and pesticides and manufacturing other compounds.
Benzoic acid derivatives substituted by hydroxy
group or ether containing oxygen atom have active bacteriostatic and fragrant
properties. They are typically used in pharmaceutical and perfumery industry.
The destructive metabolic property of oxygen containing benzoic acid
derivatives such as protocatechuic acid (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid) and veratric
acid (3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid) is used in the application for pharmaceuticals.
Protocatechuic acid is a catabolite of epinephrine. Prazosin, a peripheral
vasodilator and antihypertensive, is also an example of the
applicaion of veratric acid. Hydroxy
and ether substituted benzoic
acids feature analogue metabolite
of
aspirin
(acetylsalicylic Acid). They are used as intermediates for
pharmaceuticals (especially for antipyetic anlgesic,
antirheumatism) and other organic synthesis. They are used as matrix for
ionization of peptides, proteins and carbohydrates.
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