Potassium propanoate

Potassium propanoate
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Names
	Preferred IUPAC name Potassium propanoate
	Other names Potassium propionate; E283
Identifiers
CAS Number	327-62-8 Y;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChemSpider	64232 N;
ECHA InfoCard	100.005.749
EC Number	206-323-5;
E number	E283 (preservatives)
PubChem CID	23663619;
UNII	7H1F04CKTX Y;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID50186368 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/C3H6O2.K/c1-2-3(4)5;/h2H2,1H3,(H,4,5);/q;+1/p-1 N Key: BWILYWWHXDGKQA-UHFFFAOYSA-M N; InChI=1/C3H6O2.K/c1-2-3(4)5;/h2H2,1H3,(H,4,5);/q;+1/p-1 Key: BWILYWWHXDGKQA-REWHXWOFAC;
	SMILES CCC(=O)[O-].[K+];
Properties
Chemical formula	C3H5KO2
Molar mass	112.1689 g/mol
Appearance	Colorless crystalline platelets
Melting point	358 to 366 °C; 676 to 691 °F; 631 to 639 K
Solubility in water	soluble
Solubility in ethanol	soluble
Thermochemistry
Enthalpy of fusion (ΔfH⦵fus)	179 kJ/kg
Hazards
	GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H302, H317, H319
Precautionary statements	P261, P264, P264+P265, P270, P272, P280, P301+P317, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P321, P330, P333+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P501
	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

Potassium propanoate or potassium propionate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula K(C₂H₅COO). It is the potassium salt of propanoic acid.

Preparation

Potassium propanoate can be prepared by treating potassium carbonate with propanoic acid.²

Use

It is used as a food preservative and is represented by the food labeling E number E283 in Europe⁴ and by the INS number 283 in Australia and New Zealand.⁵

Reactions

Decomposition takes place via ketonization, yielding the symmetric ketone (3-pentanone) and potassium carbonate:²

2K(O₂CEt) → K₂CO₃ + Et(CO)Et

References

J. I. G. Cadogan, J. Buckingham, F. MacDonald: Dictionary of Organic Compounds: First Supplement. CRC Press, 1996, ISBN 978-0-412-54110-0
Bui, Ly Huong; de Klerk, Arno (2014-02-13). "Thermal Behavior of Potassium C1–C12 n-Alkanoates and Its Relevance to Fischer–Tropsch". Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data. 59 (2): 400–411. doi:10.1021/je400874d. ISSN 0021-9568.
PubChem. "Potassium propionate". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
UK Food Standards Agency: "Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers". Retrieved 2011-10-27.
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code"Standard 1.2.4 - Labelling of ingredients". 8 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-27.

[Cadogan-1] J. I. G. Cadogan, J. Buckingham, F. MacDonald: Dictionary of Organic Compounds: First Supplement. CRC Press, 1996, ISBN 978-0-412-54110-0

[Bui-2] Bui, Ly Huong; de Klerk, Arno (2014-02-13). "Thermal Behavior of Potassium C1–C12 n-Alkanoates and Its Relevance to Fischer–Tropsch". Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data. 59 (2): 400–411. doi:10.1021/je400874d. ISSN 0021-9568.

[3] PubChem. "Potassium propionate". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2026-02-01.

[4] UK Food Standards Agency: "Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers". Retrieved 2011-10-27.

[5] Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code"Standard 1.2.4 - Labelling of ingredients". 8 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-27.

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