Benzoic Acid

Introduction

Ever since the sixteenth century, benzoic acid $\mathrm{(C_{6}H_{5}COOH)}$, the most basic benzenebased carboxylic acid ($\mathrm{RCOOH}$), has been recognized. The famed clairvoyant Nostradamus was one of its discoverers. The most frequent natural resource is gum benzoin, a substance present in the bark of Styrax plants. The majority of benzoic acid made nowadays is artificial. The hydrolysis of benzotrichloride to calcium benzoate, followed by acidification, was its 1$\mathrm{^{st}}$ commercial production. This procedure has been completely replaced by toluene air oxidation, which eliminates the issue of product contamination with chlorinated byproducts. As a preservative, numerous manufactured goods include benzoic acid $\mathrm{(C_{6}H_{5}COOH)}$ or one of its salts. The acid prevents bacterial growth, and moulds, including yeasts; it is most effective whenever the meal has an acidic pH. Benzoic acid is also commonly found in antifungal creams.

What is Benzoic Acid?

This acid is a molecule that appears naturally in food but can also be added artificially as a preservative (antibacterial plus antifungal). Because it has better antibacterial as well as antifungal properties at a lower pH, it is most typically employed in acidic foods. In only 24 hours of intake, it is swiftly digested by the system and then eliminated in the urine as hippuric acid. Peak blood concentrations occur one to two hours after a meal. Benzoates, Calcium benzoate, Potassium benzoate, Sodium benzoate, and other benzoate derivatives (with the term "benzoate" in them) are some other designations for this acid. Industrially, this acid is a molecule that appears naturally in food but can also be added artificially as a preservative (antibacterial plus antifungal). Because it has better antibacterial as well as antifungal properties at a lower pH, it is most typically employed in acidic foods.

In only 24 hours of intake, it is swiftly digested by the system and then eliminated in the urine as hippuric acid. Peak blood concentrations occur one to two hours after a meal. Benzoates, Calcium benzoate, Potassium benzoate, Sodium benzoate, and other benzoate derivatives (with the term "benzoate" in them) are some other designations for this acid.

Industrially, $\mathrm{(C_{6}H_{5}COOH)}$ is made by partially oxidizing toluene $\mathrm{(C_{6}H_{5}CH_{3})}$ with oxygen (O). Cobalt (Co) or manganese naphthenates catalyze the reaction. The technique makes use of available ingredients but also produces a high output.

Structure

Benzoic acid ($\mathrm{C_{6}H_{5}COOH}$) is a white or colourless solid-state organic chemical molecule. Benzoic acid is found naturally in many plants that act as an intermediary in the production of several secondary metabolites. It is made up of a carboxyl group joined to a benzene ring. As a result, $\mathrm{C_{6}H_{5}COOH}$ is also known as aromatic carboxylic acid $\mathrm{(RCOOH)}$. Given normal circumstances, this chemical is obtained as a crystalline, colourless solid. $\mathrm{C_{7}H_{6}O_{2}}$ is the empirical formula for benzoic acid, while $\mathrm{C_{6}H_{5}COOH}$ is the molecular formula. It's also known as benzene carboxylic acid. It is made up of 7 C atoms, 6 H atoms, plus 2 Oatoms. It is a ring of 6 C joined by alternating bonds, with a $\mathrm{-COOH}$ group linked to one of the vertices. It is benzoic acid because of the $\mathrm{-COOH}$ group.

Properties of Benzoic Acid

Physical properties of benzoic acid 

This chemical is mildly pleasant in odour due to the aromatic ring.

Benzoic acid	$\mathrm{C_{6}H_{5}COOH}$
Appearance	crystalline colourless solid
Molar mass	122.12 g/mol
B.P	249.2 $\mathrm{^{\circ}C}$
M.P.	122.3 $\mathrm{^{\circ}C}$
Density	1075 $\mathrm{g/cm^{3}}$ at 130 $\mathrm{^{\circ}C}$

Chemical Properties of Benzoic Acid

• At 25 $\mathrm{^{\circ}C}$, the solubility is 3.44 g/L and at 100 $\mathrm{^{\circ}C}$, the solubility is 56.31 g/L.

• Benzene, carbon tetrachloride, acetone, and alcohol are all soluble.

• The $\mathrm{p_{ka}}$ dissociation constant for benzoic acid is 4.2.

• It may react with the carboxyl group or even the Aromatic Ring.

Uses of Benzoic Acid

• It is used in the production of phenol. It's also a precursor to benzoyl chloride.

• Benzoic acid ointment uses- The acid is also utilized in the manufacture of several ointments for the cure of fungal infections in the skin. Benzoic acid, in conjunction with salicylic acid, aids in the prevention of a variety of diseases caused by harmful bacteria. Salicylic acid guards the body against the loss of dead but also rough skin cells. Benzoic acid combined with salicylic acid provides a pharmaceutical mixture that can be used to reduce inflammation but also skin irritation caused by burns, and fungal infections, including insect bites. There are some things to bear in mind when using benzoic acid ointment. You should avoid using dry or wet packs on the afflicted skin region. This might jeopardize the medicine's ability to heal the damaged region. Also, avoid utilizing other medications in the afflicted region where the benzoic acid is applied.

• Benzoic acid for skin - Benzoic acid is a prominent component of face wash, toothpaste, but also mouthwash. It is also a key element in many cosmetics, such as lipstick as well as lip gloss. It is also utilized in the production of insect repellents as well as pigments. Natural sources of benzoic acid include cherry bark, cassia bark, anise, tea, and even raspberries. This chemical has skin advantages such as slowing the ageing process in women. It has hydrating or even calming qualities as well. Also, veratric acid, a kind of benzoic acid, contains large concentrations of antioxidants, which serve to neutralize any free radicals in our surroundings. Benzoic acid is also included in a range of cosmetic products used on the face.

• Benzoic acid in food - The food sector also uses it as a form of conservation. Benzoic acid is utilized as a dietary preservative in soft drinks including fruit juices with an acidic pH level. It can be found as sodium benzoate but also sodium salt. Food containing benzoic acid is considered safe as well as healthful.

• Benzoic acid uses in pharmacy - It is also utilized as a preservative in the medical business. It may be found in a variety of infant goods, nail or even hair products, skin as well as bath products, and thus is favoured by many doctors. It is also antifungal as well as antimicrobial, and it is available in capsule form.

Conclusion

Benzoic acid occurs naturally in a variety of forms. One of the most abundant found natural resources is the gum found in the Chinese Balsam tree, often known as gum benzoin. Nostradamus found benzoic acid in the early 16th century. Benzoic acid has a highly specific use. It is used as a typical standard in labs by lab supervisors to calibrate a bomb calorimeter.

FAQs

Q1. What is the structure of sodium benzoate?

Ans. The structure of sodium benzoate is shown below.

Q2. Is benzoic acid water-soluble?

Ans. A fairly strong white crystalline powder of a monobasic aromatic acid that is strongly soluble in alcohol, ether, as well as benzene but weakly soluble in water.

Q3. How is benzoyl chloride made from benzoic acid $\mathrm{(C_{6}H_{5}COOH)}$

Ans. Benzoyl chloride is synthesized from benzoic acid $\mathrm{(C_{6}H_{5}COOH)}$ by reacting it with $\mathrm{SOCl_{2}}$, or thyonial chloride

Q4. How can you turn benzoic acid into benzamide?

Ans.First, we use $\mathrm{SOCl_{2}}$ to transform benzoic acid into benzoyl chloride. The resulting Benzoyl chloride is then converted to Benzamide by reacting it with $\mathrm{NH_{3}}$.

Q5. Why is benzoic acid water-insoluble?

Ans. The fundamental explanation for $\mathrm{C_{6}H_{5}COOH}$ breakdown in ice water is that the majority of the $\mathrm{C_{6}H_{5}COOH}$ molecule is nonpolar due to the polar carboxylic group (RCOOH). The carboxylic group (RCOOH) is the only 1 that is polar. Furthermore, there are also no internal stabilizing structures that favour carboxylate groups over carboxylic acid, -COOH groups.