Tags: Chemical Compound, Chemical Substance.
Benzoic acid /bɛnˈzoʊ.ɪk/ C7H6O2 (or C6H5COOH) is a colorless crystalline solid and a simple aromatic carboxylic acid. The name is derived from gum benzoin which was for a long time the only source for benzoic acid. Its salts are used as food preservatives and benzoic acid is an important precursor for the synthesis of many other organic substances. The salts and esters of benzoic acid are known as benzoates /ˈbɛnzoʊ.eɪt/.
