Potassium benzoate

Potassium benzoate
Names
	IUPAC name Potassium benzoate
Identifiers
CAS Number	582-25-2 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL2105241;
ChemSpider	10921 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.008.621
EC Number	209-481-3;
E number	E212 (preservatives)
KEGG	D05576;
PubChem CID	23661960;
UNII	763YQN2K7K ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID1027219 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/C7H6O2.K/c8-7(9)6-4-2-1-3-5-6;/h1-5H,(H,8,9);/q;+1/p-1 Key: XAEFZNCEHLXOMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M ; InChI=1/C7H6O2.K/c8-7(9)6-4-2-1-3-5-6;/h1-5H,(H,8,9);/q;+1/p-1 Key: XAEFZNCEHLXOMS-REWHXWOFAQ;
	SMILES [K+].[O-]C(=O)c1ccccc1;
Properties
Chemical formula	C7H5KO2
Molar mass	160.213 g·mol−1
Appearance	White hygroscopic solid
Odor	Odorless
Density	1.5 g/cm3
Melting point	>300 °C (572 °F; 573 K) (autoignition)
Boiling point	>465 °C (869 °F; 738 K) (1 atm) (decomposes)
Solubility in water	69.87 g/100 mL (17.5 °C (63.5 °F)); 73.83 g/100 mL (25 °C (77 °F)); 79 g/100 mL (33.3 °C (91.9 °F)); 88.33 g/100 mL (50 °C (122 °F));
Solubility in ethanol	soluble
Solubility in methanol	slightly soluble
Solubility in ether	insoluble
Hazards
	Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Low toxicity
	GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H315, H319
Precautionary statements	P264, P264+P265, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P321, P332+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	2 1 0
Autoignition; temperature	>300 °C (572 °F; 573 K)
	Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LC50 (median concentration)	484 mg/l (fathead minnow, 96h)
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

Potassium benzoate (E212), the potassium salt of benzoic acid, is a food preservative that inhibits the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria. It works best in low-pH products, below 4.5, where it exists as benzoic acid.

Acidic foods and beverages such as fruit juice (citric acid), sparkling drinks (carbonic acid), soft drinks (phosphoric acid), and pickles (vinegar) may be preserved with potassium benzoate. It is approved for use in most countries including Canada, the United States and the European Union, where it is designated by the E number E212.

Potassium benzoate is also used in whistle compositions in pyrotechnics.