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Food preservatives

Sorbic acid

Also known as (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid, 2E,4E-Hexadienoic acid, Sorbistat

CAS 110-44-1Formula C6H8O2Molar mass 112.13 g/molEC 203-768-7
GHS signal word: Warning. Pictograms: Harmful or irritant 274 suppliers listed
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Sorbic acid chemical structure, C6H8O2, CAS 110-44-1
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Colorless needles or white powder
Melting point
134.5 °C
Boiling point
228 °C
Density
1.204 g/cm³ at 19 °C
Flash point
127 °C
HS code
291619
Category
Food preservatives
Illustrative photo, white powder in small glass vials on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Sorbic acid?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Sorbic acid is a hexadienoic acid with double bonds at C-2 and C-4, it has four geometrical isomers, of which the trans,trans-form is naturally occurring. It is a hexadienoic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, a medium-chain fatty acid and an alpha,beta-unsaturated monocarboxylic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a sorbate.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid
CAS number
110-44-1 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 161814-42-2, 22500-92-1, 34344-66-6, 5309-56-8
EC numbers
203-768-7, 618-788-5, 640-983-9
Molecular formula
C6H8O2
UNII
X045WJ989B
MDL number
MFCD00002703
INCI name
SORBIC ACID
InChIKey
WSWCOQWTEOXDQX-MQQKCMAXSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C6H8O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6(7)8/h2-5H,1H3,(H,7,8)/b3-2+,5-4+
Canonical SMILES
CC=CC=CC(=O)O
Isomeric SMILES
C/C=C/C=C/C(=O)O

Synonyms

  • (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid
  • 2E,4E-Hexadienoic acid
  • Sorbistat
  • Panosorb
  • 2-Propenylacrylic acid
  • Hexadienoic acid
  • trans,trans-Sorbic acid
  • (2E,4E)-2,4-Hexadienoic acid
  • (E,E)-2,4-Hexadienoic acid
  • 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (2E,4E)-
  • (E,E)-Sorbic acid
  • Preservastat
  • 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (E,E)-
  • alpha-trans-gamma-trans-Sorbic acid
  • Kyselina sorbova
  • Crotylidene acetic acid
  • Acetic acid, crotylidene-
  • trans,trans-2,4-Hexadienoic acid
  • Acetic acid, (2-butenylidene)-
  • Hexadienoic acid, (E,E)
  • trans-trans-2,4-Hexadienoic acid
  • 1,3-Pentadiene-1-carboxylic acid
  • (2-Butenylidene)acetic acid
  • (E,E)-1,3-pentadiene-1-carboxylic acid
  • Hexadienic acid
Show all 37 synonyms
  • 1,3-Pentadiene-1-carboxylic acid, (E,E)-
  • Kyselina 1,3-pentadien-1-karboxylova
  • (2-butenylidene) acetic acid
  • Acid, Hexadienoic
  • Sorbate, Sodium
  • Acid, Sorbic
  • Sorbate, Potassium
  • Acid, Propenylacrylic
  • Propenylacrylic Acid
  • Hexa-2,4-dienoic acid
  • (e,e)-4-hexadienoicacid
  • Sorbic acid (NF)

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Colorless needles or white powderexp.
Odour
Relatively odorlessexp.
Taste
Relatively tastelessexp.
Melting point
134.5 °Cexp.
Boiling point
228 °Cexp.
Density
1.204 g/cm³ at 19 °Cexp.
Flash point
127 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 1910 mg/L at 30 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
3.08 × 10⁻⁴ mm Hg at 25 °C (OECD Guideline 104, Vapor Pressure)exp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
112.13 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
112.0524 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
1.2calc.
Topological polar surface area
37.3 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
1calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
2calc.
Heavy atoms
8calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.17calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Warning
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant

Hazard statements

  • H315Causes skin irritation.
  • H319Causes serious eye irritation.
  • H335May cause respiratory irritation.
Precautionary statements (16)
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P264 + P265Wash skin thoroughly after handling. Do not touch eyes.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P305 + P351 + P338If in eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
  • P319Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P332 + P317If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P337 + P317If eye irritation persists: Get medical help.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P403 + P233Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P405Store locked up.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Sorbic acid suppliers

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All 274 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

274 suppliers in 39 countries

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Sorbic acid price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Reported uses (ppm):

Table: Reported uses (ppm): (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association, 2000) [Table#1690].

Intermediate for plasticizers and lubricants.

To improve the characteristics of drying oils. In alkyd type coatings to improve gloss. To improve milling characteristics of cold rubber.

Industrial uses: Processing aids not otherwise specified.

Consumer uses: Preservative.

Use classes: Preservatives and Antioxidants, Safer Chemical Classes, Food additives, Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name SORBIC ACID(fragrance, preservative)

Pharmacological actions

  • Food Preservatives

Functional uses

  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Preservative

Cosmetic functions

  • Fragrance
  • Preservative

How it is made

Trimerization of acetaldehyde and catalytic air oxidation of the resulting hexadienal.

In the presence of salts of divalent transition metals as catalysts, ketene and 2-butenal react at 30-80 °C to give a polymeric ester of 3-hydroxy-4-hexenoic acid with a molecular mass greater than or equal to about 2000. This polyester can be cleaved to give sorbic acid in good yield by either bases or acids (e.g., hydrochloric acid), alternatively, cleavage can be effected by metal-complex catalysts.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex V, allowed preservative
    Name: SORBIC ACID / CALCIUM SORBATE / SODIUM SORBATE / POTASSIUM SORBATE, Ref no: 4, Annex ref: V/4
  • Food additive

United States

  • Safer Choice ingredient list (USA)
  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Sorbic acid is traded under.

HS 2916.19Indicative HS code

Unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, their anhydrides, halides, peroxides…

World exports in 2024
$674M
−9.6% vs 2023, imports $722M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. China44.5%
  2. Germany15.3%
  3. India * partner reported11.5%
Top importers
  1. United States17.1%
  2. Netherlands7.8%
  3. South Korea7.0%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Sorbic acid is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Sorbic acid, based on the data on this page

What is Sorbic acid?

Sorbic acid is a hexadienoic acid with double bonds at C-2 and C-4, it has four geometrical isomers, of which the trans,trans-form is naturally occurring. It is a hexadienoic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, a medium-chain fatty acid and an alpha,beta-unsaturated monocarboxylic acid.

What is the CAS number of Sorbic acid?

The CAS registry number of Sorbic acid is 110-44-1. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 161814-42-2, 22500-92-1, 34344-66-6.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Sorbic acid?

The molecular formula of Sorbic acid is C6H8O2 and its molar mass is 112.13 g/mol.

What is Sorbic acid used for?

Reported uses (ppm): Table: Reported uses (ppm): (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association, 2000) [Table#1690]. Intermediate for plasticizers and lubricants. To improve the characteristics of drying oils. In alkyd type coatings to improve gloss. To improve milling characteristics of cold rubber.

Is Sorbic acid hazardous?

Sorbic acid carries the GHS signal word "Warning". Main hazards: causes skin irritation, causes serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Sorbic acid?

Sorbic acid is usually classified under HS code 291619 (Unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, their anhydrides, halides, peroxides…). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Sorbic acid?

CompoundList lists 274 suppliers of Sorbic acid in China, United States, India, Germany and 35 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Sorbic acid in India?

51 suppliers in India list Sorbic acid on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Sorbic acid?

Suppliers quote Sorbic acid on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Sorbic acid

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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