Preservation applications
Propionic acid and propionate salts are used in preservation contexts. [3]
01
THE ESSENTIALS
Propionic Acid in 30 Seconds
The –COOH group is attached to a two-carbon chain. Adding one carbon relative to acetic acid gives a different molecule even though both have one acidic group.
Propionic acid is a three-carbon carboxylic acid. It connects short-chain organic chemistry with propionate preservation and industrial derivative production. [1] [3]
A condensed structural formula keeps the functional groups visible. [1]
Industrial derivatives
A precursor for propionate esters and cellulose-propionate chemistry. [3]
Laboratory synthesis
Used as a defined three-carbon carboxylic starting material in specified synthetic procedures.. [3]
Commercial availability
The supplier section separates package size, assay, grade, and market context for three named products. [4]
02
GO A LITTLE DEEPER
Understanding Propionic Acid
THE SIMPLE EXPLANATION
The functional groups
The –COOH group is attached to a two-carbon chain. Adding one carbon relative to acetic acid gives a different molecule even though both have one acidic group. [1]
A LITTLE DEEPER
What the structure changes
Propionic acid and propionate salts share a chemical relationship but differ in counterion, formula, and handling. Lactic acid has the same carbon count but adds a hydroxyl group, so it is not the same reagent. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Technical detail Identity, dissociation & specification
The compiled pKa is 4.88 without a stated condition in the selected entry. TCI’s assay uses both GC and titration; Wako’s value uses capillary GC. These measurements should not be assumed equivalent to an unspecified assay method. [1] [2] [4] [5] [6]
Acid–base reference values describe equilibria under specified conditions. They are not a substitute for a validated formulation or an assay on the purchased lot.
03
MAKE THE CONNECTION
How Propionic Acid Compares
Similar names and functional groups do not mean interchangeable chemicals.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON
Propionic Acid vs Acetic Acid
Aliphatic monocarboxylic acid
versusAliphatic monocarboxylic acid
Fixed comparison for this prototype. Acid selectors are disabled; additional comparisons are coming later.
| Property | Propionic Acid | Acetic Acid |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C₃H₆O₂ [1] | C₂H₄O₂ [7] |
| Molecular weight | 74.08 g/mol [1] | 60.05 g/mol [7] |
| Carbon atoms | 3 [1] | 2 [7] |
| Carboxyl groups | 1 [1] | 1 [7] |
| Structure | CH₃–CH₂–COOH [1] | CH₃–COOH [7] |
| Chemical family | Aliphatic monocarboxylic acid [1] | Aliphatic monocarboxylic acid [7] |
| Identity focus | Liquid [1] | Concentrated liquid / glacial products [7] |
| pKa context | 4.88 (compiled; conditions unspecified) [2] | 4.76 (25 °C) [11] |
Chemical identities are compared here; supplier grades, concentrations, and stereochemical specifications are separate purchasing attributes. pKa values retain their stated conditions; no quantitative solubility ranking is implied.
When Might You Choose One Instead of the Other?
Choose propionic acid for a propionate or propionyl-related process that explicitly requires it. Acetic acid belongs in an acetate-based process. Preservation work needs an application-specific specification and validation rather than substitution by matching pKa. [1] [3] [7]
Specified starting material
Propionic Acid
Match CH₃–CH₂–COOH and the method’s required chemical form.
Acetic Acid
Match CH₃–COOH; verify the identity before substituting a related acid.
Before choosing: match the reaction or formulation, then verify the exact form, grade, assay basis, and impurities. These contexts do not establish suitability for an industrial or regulated application.
04
FROM STRUCTURE TO APPLICATION
What Is Propionic Acid Used For?
Preservation applications
Propionic acid and propionate salts are used in preservation contexts. Specify the free acid or salt and the applicable use specification. [3]
Industrial derivatives
A precursor for propionate esters and cellulose-propionate chemistry. Derivative properties do not describe the free acid. [3]
Laboratory synthesis
Used as a defined three-carbon carboxylic starting material in specified synthetic procedures. [3]
06
SOURCE WITH CONTEXT
Propionic Acid Suppliers
Compare specific products and package options. Listings are not ranked recommendations.
3 suppliers · 3 products · 6 package listingsLatest supplier check: October 3, 2026
Package sizes stay grouped under the supplier product. Assay methods, product forms, and regional markets remain visible. Distinguish propionic acid from sodium/calcium propionate and confirm the assay method.
Scroll horizontally if needed. Supplier and package identity stay visible.
| Supplier | Product / Grade | Purity / Assay | Package Size | Public Price | Normalized Price | Documentation | Last Checked | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma-AldrichPropionic Acid | ACS reagent402907-100ML | ≥99.5% | 100 mL | $55.10USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDSCheck supplierCOO lookup on product page (opens new tab) Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
| View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, 402907-100ML (opens new tab) | |
| ACS reagent402907-500ML | ≥99.5% | 500 mL | $93.90USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, 402907-500ML (opens new tab) | |||
| TCIPropionic Acid | Check supplierP0500 | >99.0% (GC and titration) | 25 mL | $22.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: TCI
| View Product: TCI, P0500 (opens new tab) | |
| Check supplierP0500 | >99.0% (GC and titration) | 500 mL | $26.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: TCI, P0500 (opens new tab) | |||
| FUJIFILM WakoPropionic Acid | Wako Special Grade169-04723 | ≥98.0% (capillary GC) | 25 mL | $20.00USD · US list price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
| View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 169-04723 (opens new tab) | |
| Wako Special Grade163-04726 | ≥98.0% (capillary GC) | 500 mL | $24.00USD · US list price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 163-04726 (opens new tab) |
Sigma-Aldrich
Propionic Acid
ACS reagent
100 mL
402907-100ML- Public price
- $55.10USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 mL
402907-500ML- Public price
- $93.90USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDSCheck supplierCOO lookup on product page (opens new tab)
Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- A product-specific Certificate of Origin retrieval option was visible; no origin certificate was reviewed. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
TCI
Propionic Acid
Check supplier
25 mL
P0500- Public price
- $22.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 mL
P0500- Public price
- $26.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: TCI
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
FUJIFILM Wako
Propionic Acid
Wako Special Grade
25 mL
169-04723- Public price
- $20.00USD · US list price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 mL
163-04726- Public price
- $24.00USD · US list price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
Documentation evidence
COA = Certificate of Analysis · SDS = Safety Data Sheet · COO = Certificate of Origin.
Lookup means a retrieval option was visible, not that a lot certificate was reviewed. Check supplier means availability or the applicable document was not verified.
Prices may vary by quantity, account, contract, geography, and availability. These products have different grades, assay bases, or forms; no normalized comparison is shown. Foreign-market prices are reference listings only. No currency conversion, mass-to-volume conversion, or ranking is applied. Confirm equivalent specifications and a current quote before comparison. [4] [5] [6]
Verification limits & placement policy
Wako’s linked US SDS returned 404 during review. Current regional documentation is still required. pKa conditions are not supplied in the selected compiled entry.
Only the displayed identity, specification, packages, public prices and stated documentation evidence were reviewed. Current stock, lead times, shipping eligibility, contract pricing, lot certificates, and regulatory suitability are unverified.
There are no paid placements. Future paid listings will show “Sponsored” in both views; payment will not determine chemistry interpretation or imply a ranking.
07
PLAN A LARGER ORDER
Need Propionic Acid in Bulk?
Turn your requirements into a clear supplier brief.
Bulk RFQ feature — coming soon. Prototype form: submissions are not currently sent to suppliers. Use sample details to prepare an on-screen brief.
Prepare a bulk request Prototype form
08
A BUYER’S CHECKLIST
Before You Buy Propionic Acid
Selections remain only while this page is open.
09
FOR YOUR REFERENCE
Propionic Acid Technical Reference
Identity, product reference properties, and handling context.
Identification Names, formula & identifiers
- Principal CAS
- 79-09-4
- Identity focus
- Liquid
- Formula
- C₃H₆O₂
- Molecular weight
- 74.08 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- propanoic acid
- Connectivity SMILES
- CCC(=O)O
- PubChem CID
- 1032
Connectivity SMILES describes connectivity; it is not an independent stereochemical assignment. CAS and product-form distinctions are supported by the supplier listings. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Physical Properties Product references & conditions
Acid/Base Properties Verified values & missing data
Reference pKa: 4.88 (compiled; conditions unspecified). [2]
Wako’s linked US SDS returned 404 during review. Current regional documentation is still required. pKa conditions are not supplied in the selected compiled entry.
Temperature, ionic strength, and the use of activities versus concentrations matter in quantitative work. These reference values are not buffer recipes.
Safety Product-specific SDS
Review the current SDS for the exact product.
Match chemical form, concentration, region, and product code. Use its handling, storage, incompatibility, first-aid and disposal guidance alongside the workplace risk assessment.
A current regional SDS remains to be verified; the supplier documentation field says Check supplier. This profile is not a substitute for that document.
Review supplier documentation10
COMMON QUESTIONS
Propionic Acid FAQ
What distinguishes Propionic Acid?
The –COOH group is attached to a two-carbon chain. Adding one carbon relative to acetic acid gives a different molecule even though both have one acidic group. [1]
How does it differ from Acetic Acid?
Propionic acid has a longer carbon chain than acetic acid. That changes the organic fragment delivered to a synthesis and the identity of the resulting salt or ester. [7]
What must a buyer specify?
Distinguish propionic acid from sodium/calcium propionate and confirm the assay method. [4]
Are the listed products directly price-comparable?
No. The table retains differing grades, assay bases, forms, and markets. No normalized ranking or currency conversion is applied. [5]
What reference data still need checking?
Wako’s linked US SDS returned 404 during review. Current regional documentation is still required. pKa conditions are not supplied in the selected compiled entry. [6]
Can I request a bulk quote here?
The RFQ is a prototype that prepares an on-screen brief. Nothing is sent to suppliers. Confirm actual bulk terms directly with the supplier. [4]
11
TRACE THE INFORMATION
Sources & Editorial Notes
Identity and compiled reference values are separated from supplier-specific specifications. Structural comparisons and buyer guidance are editorial interpretation. Sources were checked October 3, 2026; supplier information can change.
- PubChem · chemical identity (opens new tab)
Official PUG REST identity record: formula, molecular weight, IUPAC name, and connectivity SMILES.
- PubChem · dissociation references (opens new tab)
Compiled reference entries; their methods and conditions matter. Citric acid’s displayed stepwise values are from the linked Sigma specification.
- PubChem · applications (opens new tab)
Compiled application references; uses of derivatives are distinguished from direct use of the acid.
- Sigma-Aldrich · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- TCI · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- FUJIFILM Wako · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence.
- Acetic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Primary comparison identity. Explanations of structural differences are editorial interpretation of verified identities.
- Butyric Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Formic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Lactic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Acetic Acid · acid–base reference (opens new tab)
The primary comparison’s pKa source; reference conditions are preserved.
- OpenStax · Citric acid cycle (opens new tab)
Succinate and fumarate in the citric acid cycle; salts/ions are distinguished from purchased free acids.
Review limits
Wako’s linked US SDS returned 404 during review. Current regional documentation is still required. pKa conditions are not supplied in the selected compiled entry.
This informational prototype is not a supplier, quotation service, or endorsement of a product’s fitness for an application. Buyers should verify the applicable specification, certification, and regulatory requirements for their intended use.