Description
Ammonium Benzoate is the ammonium salt of benzoic acid, appearing as a white, odorless, crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water and valued for both industrial and preservative applications.
Chemical and Physical Properties
Chemical formula: C₇H₉NO₂ (often written as C₆H₅COONH₄).
Molar mass: 139.15 g/mol.
Melting point: 192–198 °C (decomposes).
Soluble in water (approx. 14 g/100 mL at 20°C).
pH (10% solution): about 5.0–8.0 (neutral to slightly acidic).
Appears as a white, non-sticky powder or crystalline solid, with a slight ammoniacal odor.
Stable under ordinary conditions; stored in a cool, dry place.
Applications and Uses
Used in industrial and consumer products as a preservative, especially for adhesives, rubber latex, and paper wrappers.
Common as a mild, amine-free flash rust inhibitor in coatings for ferrous metal substrates.
Plays a role in reducing vulcanization time in rubber production, and as an agent in corrosion inhibition or anti-scaling treatments.
Incorporated as a preservative in cosmetics, hair care, and personal care items.
Utilized as an analytical reagent and as a flavoring or food preservative in select regions due to weak antimicrobial properties.
Applies to the electronics sector for electrolytic capacitor production and other specialized chemical synthesis.
Safety and Handling
Considered a low-toxicity substance, but may cause irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract; use standard laboratory precautions.
Environmental hazard in concentrated form; avoid uncontrolled release to the environment.
Shelf life: up to 5 years if stored properly.
Ammonium benzoate’s versatility, solubility, and mild antimicrobial action make it useful in industrial preservation, surface treatment, personal care, and specialty manufacturing sectors.