benzoesihappo

Benzoesihappo, known in English as benzoic acid, is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CO2H. It is a simple aromatic carboxylic acid consisting of a benzene ring bearing a carboxyl group. It is a white, crystalline solid at room temperature, with a melting point of about 122 °C and limited solubility in water, increasing when converted to its salts.

Benzoic acid occurs naturally in a variety of plants and plant-derived foods in small quantities, including fruits and resinous sources. Industrially, it is produced mainly by the catalytic oxidation of toluene or benzyl derivatives. It can also be generated as a byproduct in certain chemical processes. In solution, it behaves as a weak acid with a pKa around 4.2, forming benzoate salts that are more soluble in water.

The principal uses of benzoic acid are as a preservative and as a chemical building block. In foods and beverages, it is used to inhibit the growth of mold and yeast; its sodium salt, sodium benzoate, is widely employed as a preservative as well. Benzoic acid serves as a precursor for esters, dyes, perfumes, and various benzoates used in industry.

Safety and regulatory status are generally favorable when used at approved levels. Benzoic acid can cause irritation on contact and is metabolized in the body to hippuric acid for excretion. Environmental concerns are modest but consider biodegradation and potential aquatic toxicity at high concentrations. In some beverages, combinations of benzoates with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) have been linked to trace benzene formation under certain conditions, leading to regulatory monitoring and product recalls when detected.