Applications in Various Industries:
- Food Industry: Used as a preservative (e.g., sodium benzoate) in beverages, sauces, and processed foods.
- Cosmetic and Personal Care: Found in creams, lotions, and ointments as a preservative and pH adjuster.
- Pharmaceutical Industry: Used in the synthesis of medications and as an antifungal agent.
Where is Benzoic Acid Found?
- Natural Sources: Found in trace amounts in some fruits (e.g., cranberries, plums) and tree resins.
- Industrial Production: Produced by the oxidation of toluene or the hydrolysis of benzotrichloride.
- Consumer Products: Found in food preservatives, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.