benzoic acid

American  

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, slightly water-soluble powder, C 7 H 6 O 2 , usually derived from benzoin or other balsams, or synthesized from phthalic acid or toluene: used chiefly as a preservative, in the synthesis of dyes, and in medicine as a germicide.

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benzoic acid British  

noun

1. Systematic name: benzenecarboxylic acid.  a white crystalline solid occurring in many natural resins, used in the manufacture of benzoates, plasticizers, and dyes and as a food preservative ( E210 ). Formula: C 6 H 5 COOH

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benzoic acid Scientific  

/ bĕn-zō′ĭk /

1. A white, crystalline acid used in preserving food, as a cosmetic, and in medicine. Benzoic acid consists of a benzene ring with a carboxyl group (COOH) attached. It occurs naturally in some plants. Chemical formula: C ₇ H ₆ O ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of benzoic acid

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Similarly, a compound called benzoic acid naturally found in cranberries adds to the fruit's sourness.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2024

So they did all kinds of just really organic research and ended up settling on benzoic acid as the organic acid that was the most satisfying.

From The Verge • Jun. 29, 2021

What is the percent yield of a reaction that converts 1.000 kg of toluene to 1.21 kg of benzoic acid?

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Verduyn, C., Postma, E., Scheffers, W. A. & Van Dijken, J. P. Effect of benzoic acid on metabolic fluxes in yeasts: a continuous-culture study on the regulation of respiration and alcoholic fermentation.

From Nature • Nov. 28, 2017

It consists largely of resin, and yields benzoic acid.

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas