12 Facts About Propionic acid

Propionic acid is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid with chemical formula CH3CH2CO2H.

Propionic acid was first described in 1844 by Johann Gottlieb, who found it among the degradation products of sugar.

Propionic acid has physical properties intermediate between those of the smaller carboxylic acids, formic and acetic acids, and the larger fatty acids.

In industry, propionic acid is mainly produced by the hydrocarboxylation of ethylene using nickel carbonyl as the catalyst:.

Large amounts of propionic acid were once produced as a byproduct of acetic acid manufacture.

Propionic acid is useful as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals, especially polymers.

The esters of propionic acid have fruit-like odors and are sometimes used as solvents or artificial flavorings.

In biogas plants, propionic acid is a common intermediate product, which is formed by fermentation with propionic acid bacteria.

Propionic acid is produced biologically as its coenzyme A ester, propionyl-CoA, from the metabolic breakdown of fatty acids containing odd numbers of carbon atoms, and from the breakdown of some amino acids.

Metabolism of propionic acid begins with its conversion to propionyl coenzyme A, the usual first step in the metabolism of carboxylic acids.

Since propionic acid has three carbons, propionyl-CoA cannot directly enter either beta oxidation or the citric acid cycles.

Propionic acid serves as a substrate for hepatic gluconeogenesis via conversion to succinyl-CoA.