At a Glance
Material Family
Acids & Salts
Record Type
Acid
Primary Role
Preservation · Synthesis Intermediate
Functional Roles
Industries Served
Applications & Use Cases
- ▸ Used as a mold and fungal inhibitor for preserving stored grain, hay, silage, and animal feed, where it suppresses spoilage organisms in high-moisture commodities.
- ▸ Serves as a precursor and synthesis intermediate in the manufacture of cellulose-acetate-propionate plastics, propionate esters (solvents and plasticizers), and herbicides.
- ▸ Functions as an antimicrobial preservative and acidulant in baked goods, cheese, and other foods, typically supplied as the food/FCC grade or as calcium/sodium propionate salts.
- ▸ Applied as an acidifier and antifungal additive in industrial water treatment and in coatings/construction formulations to control microbial growth and adjust pH.
- ▸ Used as a building-block carboxylic acid in the production of pharmaceuticals, flavors, fragrances, and rubber/cellulose chemicals.
Physical Properties
Appearance
Clear colorless liquid
Odor
Pungent, rancid
Boiling Point
141 C
Melting Point
-21 C
Density
0.99 g/cm3 (20 C)
Flash Point
54 C (closed cup)
Water Solubility
Miscible
pKa
4.87
Molecular Weight
74.08 g/mol
Safety & Handling
Full SDS available on request
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
79-09-4
Molecular Formula
C3H6O2
Molecular Weight
74.08 g/mol
IUPAC Name
propanoic acid
PubChem CID
InChI Key
XBDQKXXYIPTUBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Synonyms & Trade Names
Full Description
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU):
- EC number: 201-176-3
Source: EPA TSCA Inventory (July 2025 release) · ECHA CHEM — retrieved 2026-07-12
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Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.