Sorbic Acid

C6H8O2

Mol. Wt. 112.13

(E,E)-2,4-hexadienoic acid
Content

110-44-1

Sorbic Acid, when calculated on the anhydrous basis, contains not less

than 99.0% of sorbic acid (C6H8O2).

Description

Sorbic Acid occurs as colorless needles or as a white crystalline

powder. It is odorless or has a slight, characteristic odor.

Identification

(1)

To 1 ml of a solution of Sorbic Acid in acetone (1 100), add

1 ml of water and 2 drops of bromine TS, and shake. The color of the solution
immediately disappears.
(2)

A solution of Sorbic Acid in isopropyl alcohol (1 400,000) exhibits an

absorption maximum at a wavelength of 252256 nm.

Purity
(2)

(1)

Melting point

Color of solution

132135.

Weigh 0.20 g of Sorbic Acid, and dissolve in 5 ml of

acetone. The color of the solution is not darker than that of Matching Fluid C.
(3)

Chloride

Not more than 0.014% as Cl.

Sample Solution Weigh 1.5 g of Sorbic Acid, add 120 ml of water, and dissolve
while boiling, and cool. Add water to make 120 ml, and filter. Use 40 ml of the filtrate
as the sample solution.

Control Solution 0.20 ml of 0.01 mol/l hydrochloric acid.

(4)

Sulfate

Not more than 0.048% as SO4.

Sample Solution 40 ml of the filtrate prepared in test (3).

Control Solution 0.50 ml of 0.005 mol/l sulfuric acid.
(5)

Heavy metals

Not more than 10 g/g as Pb.

Test Solution To the residue on ignition of Sorbic Acid, add 1 ml of hydrochloric

acid and 0.2 ml of nitric acid, and evaporate to dryness on a water bath. Add 1 ml of
diluted hydrochloric acid (1 4) and 15 ml of water, dissolve while heating, and cool.
Add 1 drop of phenolphthalein TS, and then add dropwise ammonia TS until the color
of the solution changes to a slightly pink color. Add 2 ml of diluted acetic acid (1 20),

filter if necessary, and add water to make 50 ml.

Control Solution

Measure exactly 2 ml of Lead Standard Solution, add 2 ml of

diluted acetic acid (1 20) and water to make 50 ml.

(6)

Arsenic

Not more than 4.0 g/g as As2O3 (0.50 g, Method 3, Apparatus B).

Water Content

Not more than 0.50% (2.0 g, direct titration).

Residue on Ignition
Assay

Not more than 0.20% (2 g).

Weigh accurately about 1 g of Sorbic Acid, dissolve in neutralized ethanol

to make exactly 100 ml, measure exactly 25 ml of this solution, and titrate with 0.1
mol/l sodium hydroxide (indicator: 23 drops of phenolphthalein TS). Calculate on the
anhydrous basis.
1 ml of 0.1 mol/l sodium hydroxide = 11.213 mg of C6H8O2.