Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 9, 2026

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.

Last revised
Jun 9, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
520 w
Citations
11
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Sodium propionate1
source ↗
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Sodium propanoate
Other names
Sodium propionate
Napropion
E281
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.004.810
EC Number
  • 205-290-4
E number E281 (preservatives)
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C3H6O2.Na/c1-2-3(4)5;/h2H2,1H3,(H,4,5);/q;+1/p-1 checkY
    Key: JXKPEJDQGNYQSM-UHFFFAOYSA-M checkY
  • InChI=1/C3H6O2.Na/c1-2-3(4)5;/h2H2,1H3,(H,4,5);/q;+1/p-1
    Key: JXKPEJDQGNYQSM-REWHXWOFAH
  • [Na+].[O-]C(=O)CC
Properties
C3H5NaO2
Molar mass 96.060 g/mol
Appearance Transparent crystals
Odor faint acetic-butyric odor
Melting point 289 °C (552 °F; 562 K)
1 g/mL
Solubility in ethanol 41.7 g/L
Pharmacology
S01AX10 (WHO) QA16QA02 (WHO)
Hazards
GHS labelling:2
GHS05: CorrosiveGHS07: Exclamation markGHS09: Environmental hazard
Danger
H302, H317, H318, H411
P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P272, P273, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P305+P354+P338, P317, P321, P330, P333+P317, P362+P364, P391, P501
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
6332 mg/kg (mouse, oral)2
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

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.2

Structure

Structure of sodium propionate, with methyl groups and H atoms omitted.3 Color code: red = O, blue = Na. source ↗

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.

Preparation

It is produced by the reaction of propionic acid and sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide.4

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,5 USA6 and Australia and New Zealand7 (where it is listed by its INS number 281).

Reactions

Decomposition takes place via ketonization, yielding the symmetric ketone (3-pentanone) and sodium carbonate:4

2Na(O2CEt) → Na2CO3 + Et(CO)Et

Some side reactions resulting in the release of carbon dioxide are observed.4

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Merck Index, 11th Edition, 8623.
  2. PubChem. "Sodium Propionate". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  3. Fábry, Jan; Samolová, Erika (2020). "Layered alkali propanoates M+(C2H5COO)−; M+= Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+". Acta Crystallographica Section E. 76 (9): 1508–1513. Bibcode:2020AcCrE..76.1508F. doi:10.1107/S2056989020011469. PMC 7472758. PMID 32939309.
  4. Grivel, J. -C. (2018-11-01). "New insights into the thermal behavior and decomposition of sodium propionate". Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis. 136: 62–68. doi:10.1016/j.jaap.2018.10.023. ISSN 0165-2370.
  5. UK Food Standards Agency: "Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers". Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  6. US Food and Drug Administration: "Listing of Food Additives Status Part II". Food and Drug Administration. Archived from the original on January 8, 2010. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  7. Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code"Standard 1.2.4 - Labelling of ingredients". 8 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
External links