Comparing E210 - Benzoic acid vs E236 - Formic acid
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 386 products
Found in 11 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is benzoic acid soluble in water?
Only sparingly—about 3 g per liter at room temperature; its solubility increases in hot water and it dissolves readily in many organic solvents.
Is benzoic acid polar?
It has a polar carboxyl group but a nonpolar aromatic ring, so overall it’s only weakly polar; its benzoate salt is much more polar and water‑soluble.
Is benzoic acid a strong acid?
No—it's a weak acid, with a pKa of about 4.2.
What is the melting point of benzoic acid?
About 122–123 °C (251–253 °F).
Is benzoic acid bad for you?
At approved food levels it’s considered safe, with an ADI of 0–5 mg/kg body weight/day; some people may experience irritation or hypersensitivity, and benzene formation in certain acidic drinks is monitored and kept very low.
Is formic acid a strong acid?
No—formic acid is a weak acid in water (pKa ≈ 3.75), though concentrated solutions are corrosive.
What is formic acid used for?
As E236, it’s used mainly as an antimicrobial preservative and acidity regulator (especially in animal feed and silage), and outside food in leather/textile processing, rubber coagulation, beekeeping, and as a chemical intermediate.
What does formic acid smell like?
It has a sharp, pungent, vinegar-like odor that’s acrid and stingy (reminiscent of ant stings).
What does formic acid do to the body?
At low food-use levels it’s metabolized to formate and then to carbon dioxide, but concentrated exposure irritates and can burn skin, eyes, and airways; large ingestions may cause metabolic acidosis and systemic toxicity.
Does formic acid have hydrogen bonding?
Yes—its carboxyl group donates and accepts hydrogen bonds, often forming dimers, which contributes to its relatively high boiling point.