Potassium sorbate

Potassium sorbate
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Potassium (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate
Other names
  • E202
  • Sorbistat-K
  • Sorbistat potassium
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.042.145
E number E202 (preservatives)
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C6H8O2.K/c1-2-3-4-5-6(7)8;/h2-5H,1H3,(H,7,8);/q;+1/p-1/b3-2+,5-4+; Y
    Key: CHHHXKFHOYLYRE-STWYSWDKSA-M Y
  • InChI=1/C6H8O2.K/c1-2-3-4-5-6(7)8;/h2-5H,1H3,(H,7,8);/q;+1/p-1/b3-2+,5-4+;
    Key: CHHHXKFHOYLYRE-ZCSOUONQBI
  • [K+].[O-]C(=O)\C=C\C=C\C
Properties
C6H7KO2
Molar mass 150.218 g·mol−1
Appearance White crystals
Odor Yes
Density 1.363 g/cm3
Melting point 270 °C (518 °F; 543 K) decomposes
58.5 g/100mL (100 °C)
Solubility in other solvents
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
2
1
0
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
4920 mg/kg (oral, rat)
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 sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, structural formula CH3CH=CH−CH=CH−CO2K. It is a white salt that is very soluble in water (58.2% at 20 °C). It is primarily used as a food preservative (E number 202). Potassium sorbate is effective in a variety of applications including food, wine, and personal care products. While sorbic acid occurs naturally in rowan and hippophae berries, virtually all of the world's supply of sorbic acid, from which potassium sorbate is derived, is manufactured synthetically.