Sodium propionate

Sodium propanoate or sodium propionate is the sodium salt of propionic acid which has the chemical formula Na(C₂H₅COO). This white crystalline solid is deliquescent in moist air.

Sodium propionate^[1]

Names
Preferred IUPAC name Sodium propanoate
Other names Sodium propionate Napropion E281
Identifiers
CAS Number	137-40-6 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:132106 N
ChEMBL	ChEMBL500826 Y
ChemSpider	8399 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.004.810
EC Number	205-290-4
E number	E281 (preservatives)
PubChem CID	8724
UNII	DK6Y9P42IN Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID7021996
InChI InChI=1S/C3H6O2.Na/c1-2-3(4)5;/h2H2,1H3,(H,4,5);/q;+1/p-1 Y Key: JXKPEJDQGNYQSM-UHFFFAOYSA-M Y InChI=1/C3H6O2.Na/c1-2-3(4)5;/h2H2,1H3,(H,4,5);/q;+1/p-1 Key: JXKPEJDQGNYQSM-REWHXWOFAH
SMILES [Na+].[O-]C(=O)CC
Properties
Chemical formula	C3H5NaO2
Molar mass	96.060 g/mol
Appearance	Transparent crystals
Odor	faint acetic-butyric odor
Melting point	289 °C (552 °F; 562 K)
Solubility in water	1 g/ml
Solubility in ethanol	41.7 g/L
Pharmacology
ATC code	S01AX10 (WHO) QA16QA02 (WHO)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Reactions

It is produced by the reaction of propionic acid and sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide.

Uses

It is used as a food preservative and is represented by the food labeling E number E281 in Europe; it is used primarily as a mold inhibitor in bakery products. It is approved for use as a food additive in the EU,^[2] USA^[3] and Australia and New Zealand^[4] (where it is listed by its INS number 281).

Structure

Structure of sodium propionate, with methyl groups and H atoms omitted.^[5] Color code: red = O, blue = Na.

Anhydrous sodium propionate is a polymeric structure, featuring trigonal prismatic Na⁺ centers bonded to six oxygen ligands provided by the carboxylates. A layered structure is observed, with the hydrophobic ethyl groups projecting into the layered galleries. With hydrated sodium propionate, some of these Na-carboxylate linkages are displaced by water.

See also

• Propionic acid, E 280
• Calcium propionate, E 282
• Potassium propionate, E 283