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What are the uses of benzoic acid

Views: 5     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2024-04-15      Origin: Site

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Introduction

 

Benzoic acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula C8H7O2, widely used in industry and daily life. In the industrial field, benzoic acid is mainly used to produce phenol, which is a key raw material for manufacturing products such as plastics, resins, pharmaceuticals, and dyes. In addition, benzoic acid is also used as a preservative and has important applications in the food and beverage industry, especially in acidic media. It can be converted into active benzoic acid, exerting antibacterial and bactericidal effects. Benzoic acid and its derivatives, such as sodium benzoate, due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, can effectively inhibit the growth of various bacteria below pH 4.5, thereby extending the shelf life of food.

 

In daily necessities, ethyl benzoate, as a commonly used ingredient of food essence, provides fruit and flower flavors, and is used to mix other flavors, such as sweet and herbal flavors. It is an important component of fruit essence. In addition, benzoic acid is also used as a detection reagent to detect metal ions such as manganese, mercury, nickel, as well as substances such as nitrate and nitrite, which plays an important role in environmental monitoring and food safety testing.

 

In conclusion, benzoic acid and its derivatives play an important role in industrial production and daily life, not only in the synthesis of chemical products, but also in food preservation, essence preparation, environmental monitoring and other fields.

 

Basic characteristics of benzoic acid

 

Chemical structure and physical properties:

 

Chemical structure: In the molecular structure of benzoic acid, the carboxyl group is directly connected to the carbon atom of the benzene ring, forming a C6H5COOH structure. A hydrogen atom on the benzene ring is replaced by a carboxyl group.

 

Melting point: The melting point of benzoic acid is 121-125 ° C.

 

Boiling point: The boiling point is 249 ° C.

 

Density: The relative density is approximately 1.2659 (15/4 ℃).

 

Solubility: Benzoic acid is slightly soluble in cold water and hexane, but soluble in organic solvents such as hot water, ethanol, ether, chloroform, and benzene.

 

Appearance: Benzoic acid usually appears as white needle shaped or flake shaped crystals, with an odor similar to benzene or formaldehyde.

 

Sublimation: At temperatures above 100 ℃, benzoic acid will sublime and can evaporate with water vapor.

 

Safety and usage precautions:

 

Health hazards: Benzoic acid vapor can be irritating to the upper respiratory tract, eyes, and skin. In general, there is no significant harm from exposure, but long-term or extensive exposure should be avoided.

 

Safety protection: During operation, appropriate protective equipment should be worn, such as chemical resistant gloves, protective goggles or face shields, as well as acid and alkali resistant work clothes.

 

First aid measures: In case of skin contact, rinse immediately with plenty of flowing water; When in contact with the eyes, the upper and lower eyelids should be opened, rinsed with flowing water or physiological saline, and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. When inhaling, it should be quickly transferred to a place with fresh air and the respiratory tract should be kept unobstructed; After ingestion, rinse your mouth, drink milk or egg white, and seek medical help.

 

Leakage emergency response: The contaminated area should be isolated, the fire source should be cut off, and the leaked material should be collected with a clean shovel, placed in a dry, clean, and covered container, and transported to a waste disposal site.

 

Waste disposal: Waste should be disposed of in accordance with relevant national and local regulations, and it is usually recommended to use incineration method for disposal.

 

Applications in the food industry

 

Preservatives:

 

Benzoic acid and its sodium salts are a broad-spectrum antimicrobial substance that can inhibit various bacteria and effectively extend the shelf life of food at pH below 4.5.

 

Benzoic acid, as a preservative, has an inhibitory effect on the activity of respiratory enzymes in various microbial cells, has a strong effect on hindering the binding of acetyl CoA, and has an inhibitory effect on microbial cell membranes. Therefore, it can not only inhibit the proliferation of a wide range of microorganisms, but also have good bactericidal effects.

 

Benzoic acid and its sodium salt are the most widely used preservatives in the condiment industry at present, which are related to their good antibacterial effect and low price.

 

Antioxidants:

 

Benzoic acid has antioxidant properties, which can prevent the oxidation of fats in food and maintain its freshness.

 

Food seasoning:

 

Besides being used as a preservative and antioxidant, benzoic acid can also be used as a food seasoning agent. It can improve the taste of food and enhance its flavor.

 

Applications in the pharmaceutical field

 

Raw materials for local anesthetics:

 

Benzocaine, commonly known as ethyl p-aminobenzoate, is a commonly used local anesthetic. It has analgesic and itch relieving effects and is mainly used for anesthesia and pain relief on wounds, ulcer surfaces, mucosal surfaces, and hemorrhoids. The synthesis of benzocaine typically involves the preparation of para aminobenzoic acid, which can be achieved through the reduction and esterification reactions of para nitrobenzoic acid.

 

Procaine is another common local anesthetic, which contains derivatives of benzoic acid in its chemical structure. Procaine has been widely used in clinical practice due to its low toxicity and good anesthetic effect.

 

Preparation of antifungal drugs:

 

Benzoic acid can be used to prepare drugs with antifungal properties. For example, benzoic acid salicylic acid ointment is an topical medication made by polymerizing salicylic acid and benzoic acid, which can effectively inhibit fungi on the skin and superficial areas.

 

Benzoic acid and its derivatives are also commonly used to synthesize other antifungal drugs, such as imidazole benzoate compounds, which have broad-spectrum antifungal activity and can be used to treat various fungal infections.

 

Use in cosmetics and personal care products

 

Preservatives and antibacterial agents:

 

Benzoic acid and its salts (such as sodium benzoate) have good antibacterial properties and can effectively inhibit the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, molds, and yeast. In cosmetics and personal care products, these characteristics help prevent product spoilage and extend product shelf life.

 

Due to the acidity of benzoic acid, it can create an environment that is not conducive to microbial growth, thereby protecting products from contamination. This is particularly important for products containing water and other perishable ingredients, such as lotion, face cream, shampoos, and shower gels.

 

Ingredients of skincare and hair products:

 

In skincare products, benzoic acid can help maintain the stability and safety of the product, especially in products containing active ingredients. These active ingredients may be susceptible to microbial contamination, and the addition of benzoic acid can effectively reduce this risk.

 

In hair products, benzoic acid can not only be used as a preservative, but also as a conditioner. It can improve the texture of hair, make it easier to comb, and help prevent the generation of dandruff.

 

Due to its antibacterial properties, benzoic acid is also used in some products targeting acne and other skin problems to help reduce the risk of inflammation and infection.

 

Use in cosmetics and personal care products

 

Preservatives and antibacterial agents:

 

Benzoic acid and its salts (such as sodium benzoate) have good antibacterial properties and can effectively inhibit the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, molds, and yeast. In cosmetics and personal care products, these characteristics help prevent product spoilage and extend product shelf life.

 

Due to the acidity of benzoic acid, it can create an environment that is not conducive to microbial growth, thereby protecting products from contamination. This is particularly important for products containing water and other perishable ingredients, such as lotion, face cream, shampoos, and shower gels.

 

Ingredients of skincare and hair products:

 

In skincare products, benzoic acid can help maintain the stability and safety of the product, especially in products containing active ingredients. These active ingredients may be susceptible to microbial contamination, and the addition of benzoic acid can effectively reduce this risk.

 

In hair products, benzoic acid can not only be used as a preservative, but also as a conditioner. It can improve the texture of hair, make it easier to comb, and help prevent the generation of dandruff.

 

Due to its antibacterial properties, benzoic acid is also used in some products targeting acne and other skin problems to help reduce the risk of inflammation and infection.

 

Additives in the plastic and coating industry

 

Extending the service life of plastic products:

 

Benzoic acid, as a plastic additive, can effectively inhibit plastic degradation caused by microbial action, thereby extending the service life of plastic products. The antibacterial properties of benzoic acid help protect plastic materials from microbial invasion, especially in humid or warm environments, where this protective effect is particularly important.

Benzoic acid can also be used as an antioxidant to prevent plastic materials from aging due to oxidation, maintain the stability of the physical and chemical properties of plastics, and reduce phenomena such as embrittlement and discoloration caused by oxidation.

 

Improving the durability and stability of coatings:

 

In the paint industry, benzoic acid and its salts (such as sodium benzoate) are commonly used as preservatives to prevent microbial contamination of coatings during storage and use, and to maintain the stability and uniformity of coatings.

 

Benzoic acid can also improve the durability of coatings by inhibiting microbial growth, reducing possible problems such as mold and decay during use, thereby extending the service life of coatings and protecting their integrity.

 

Synthesis and production of benzoic acid

 

Synthesis methods and techniques:

 

Benzoic acid can be obtained through various synthetic pathways, including the oxidation of alcohols and aldehydes, hydrolysis of nitriles, and halogenation reactions of methyl ketones. The main industrial production processes include phthalic anhydride water decarboxylation, toluene chlorination hydrolysis, and toluene liquid-phase oxidation. Among them, the toluene liquid-phase oxidation method is currently the main industrial method for preparing benzoic acid, but this method has disadvantages such as high energy consumption and high environmental pollution.

 

In recent years, in order to develop environmentally friendly synthesis routes, people have begun to study the method of using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant and benzaldehyde as a raw material to synthesize benzoic acid. This method has gradually aroused people's interest because it has lower environmental impact compared to traditional toluene oxidation methods.

 

Environmental impact during production process:

 

The production process of benzoic acid may produce harmful by-products and pollutants, which can have an impact on the environment. For example, the toluene oxidation method may generate solid waste such as manganese dioxide and pollutants such as organic waste gas during the production process.

 

In order to reduce the environmental impact during the production process, some enterprises have taken corresponding pollution prevention and control measures. For example, after the collection and treatment of exhaust gas, relevant emission standards are implemented, while the wastewater meets the emission standards after pre-treatment and biochemical treatment.

 

The preparation and approval process of environmental impact reports and other documents is also an important step in ensuring that production activities minimize their impact on the environment. These reports will provide a detailed explanation of the potential impact of the project on the environment and propose corresponding prevention and control measures

 

Market prospects of benzoic acid

 

Requirement analysis:

 

According to market research reports, the average unit price of benzoic acid has increased from 6700 yuan/ton in 2017 to 8000 yuan/ton in 2022, indicating a sustained growth in market demand for benzoic acid. From 2020 to 2021, due to the strong demand in the downstream market and the shortage of raw materials due to the COVID-19, the price of benzoic acid will rise.

 

In 2020, the sales volume and revenue of benzoic acid in China decreased by 1.53% and 8.22% year-on-year, respectively. However, with the gradual improvement of the epidemic and the rapid recovery of the industry, the sales volume of benzoic acid in China increased to 160600 tons in 2022, with significant growth in sales revenue.

 

Development trend:

 

The monthly average price of benzoic acid in the market reached 9563.46 yuan/ton in 2022, an increase of 29.36% compared to the same period in 2021, indicating strong market demand for benzoic acid. Although the monthly average market price has decreased in 2023, the overall market size is still expanding.

 

According to a report by QYResearch, the global benzoic acid market sales reached a certain $100 million in 2022 and are expected to continue growing until 2029, indicating a stable long-term demand for benzoic acid in the market.

 

Potential emerging application areas:

 

In addition to traditional applications in the production of sodium benzoate, benzoic acid is also used for the production of benzoate esters, as well as other industrial and feed grade products. Benzoic acid esters are the most promising downstream products of benzoic acid in the future, and they are also products that enterprises prioritize and develop.

 

Plasticizers have the highest usage among all plastic additives, with a total production capacity of about 1 million tons in China. Plasticizers mainly consist of phthalates with excellent comprehensive performance and high prices, accounting for 70% to 90% of the consumption. About 90% of the total consumption of plasticizers is used for PVC resin, while the remaining 10% is used for various cellulose resins, unsaturated polyesters, epoxy resins, vinyl acetate resins, and some synthetic rubber products, providing broad application prospects for benzoic acid.

 

Benzoic acid is commonly used as a fixative or preservative, as a preservative in fruit juice beverages. It can be used as a paste for perfuming essence, used in the production of medicine, dye carrier, plasticizer, spice, food preservative, etc., used to improve the performance of alkyd resin coatings, used as an intermediate of pharmaceuticals and dyes, and also used as an anti rust agent for steel equipment.

 

conclusion

 

Multifunctionality:

 

Benzoic acid serves as a preservative and seasoning agent in the food industry, protecting food from microbial contamination while enhancing its taste and flavor.

 

In the field of medicine, benzoic acid and its derivatives are used as raw materials for local anesthetics and in the preparation of antifungal drugs, making significant contributions to human health.

 

In cosmetics and personal care products, benzoic acid serves as a preservative and antibacterial agent, which helps to improve the safety and stability of the product.

 

Benzoic acid, as an additive in the plastic and coating industry, can extend the service life of products, improve their durability and stability.

 

Future development:

 

With the increasingly strict environmental regulations and increasing consumer concern for health and quality, the demand for high-purity benzoic acid is gradually increasing, especially in the fields of food, cosmetics, and personal care products.

 

The potential of benzoic acid in emerging application fields will gradually be explored, such as in biomedical, nanotechnology, and environmentally friendly materials, which may bring new growth points.

 

Technological innovation and improvement of production methods will help reduce the production cost of benzoic acid, improve product quality, reduce environmental impact, and promote sustainable development of the industry.

 

 

 

 


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