At a Glance
Material Family
Acids & Salts
Record Type
Salt
Primary Role
Preservation · Biocidal Action
Functional Roles
Industries Served
Applications & Use Cases
- ▸ Antifungal preservative and mold inhibitor in baked goods, cheeses, and other moisture-containing foods, sold as food-grade E281 to extend shelf life by suppressing Rhizopus and other molds.
- ▸ Mold and aerobic-spoilage inhibitor in high-moisture animal feed, silage, and grain, where it is applied to limit fungal growth during storage (EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 077703).
- ▸ Antimicrobial additive in industrial and personal-care formulations such as adhesives, coatings, and cosmetics to control bacterial and fungal contamination in water-bearing systems.
- ▸ Buffering and pH-stabilizing salt in aqueous formulations, contributing weak-acid buffering near mildly alkaline pH alongside its preservative action.
- ▸ Synthesis and feedstock reagent supplying the propionate anion in fine-chemical and laboratory preparations.
Physical Properties
appearance
White crystalline powder or granules
molecular_weight
96.06 g/mol
odor
Odorless to faint propionic-acid odor
water_solubility
Freely soluble (approx. 1000 g/L at 25 C)
melting_point
approx. 285-290 C (decomposes)
ph
7.5-9.5 (10% aqueous solution)
hygroscopicity
Hygroscopic / deliquescent
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.
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
137-40-6
Molecular Formula
C3H5NaO2
Molecular Weight
96.06 g/mol
IUPAC Name
sodium propanoate
PubChem CID
InChI Key
JXKPEJDQGNYQSM-UHFFFAOYSA-M
Synonyms & Trade Names
Related Products
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.