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2D Structure
Also known as: 110-44-1, 2,4-hexadienoic acid, (2e,4e)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid, 2e,4e-hexadienoic acid, Panosorb, Sorbistat
Molecular Formula
C6H8O2
Molecular Weight
112.13  g/mol
InChI Key
WSWCOQWTEOXDQX-MQQKCMAXSA-N
FDA UNII
X045WJ989B

Mold and yeast inhibitor. Used as a fungistatic agent for foods, especially cheeses.
1 2D Structure

2D Structure

2 Identification
2.1 Computed Descriptors
2.1.1 IUPAC Name
(2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid
2.1.2 InChI
InChI=1S/C6H8O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6(7)8/h2-5H,1H3,(H,7,8)/b3-2+,5-4+
2.1.3 InChI Key
WSWCOQWTEOXDQX-MQQKCMAXSA-N
2.1.4 Canonical SMILES
CC=CC=CC(=O)O
2.1.5 Isomeric SMILES
C/C=C/C=C/C(=O)O
2.2 Other Identifiers
2.2.1 UNII
X045WJ989B
2.3 Synonyms
2.3.1 MeSH Synonyms

1. Acid, Hexadienoic

2. Acid, Propenylacrylic

3. Acid, Sorbic

4. Hexadienoic Acid

5. Potassium Sorbate

6. Propenylacrylic Acid

7. Sodium Sorbate

8. Sorbate, Potassium

9. Sorbate, Sodium

2.3.2 Depositor-Supplied Synonyms

1. 110-44-1

2. 2,4-hexadienoic Acid

3. (2e,4e)-hexa-2,4-dienoic Acid

4. 2e,4e-hexadienoic Acid

5. Panosorb

6. Sorbistat

7. 2-propenylacrylic Acid

8. Hexadienoic Acid

9. Trans,trans-sorbic Acid

10. (e,e)-2,4-hexadienoic Acid

11. 2,4-hexadienoic Acid, (2e,4e)-

12. Hexa-2,4-dienoic Acid

13. 2,4-hexadienoic Acid, (e,e)-

14. Alpha-trans-gamma-trans-sorbic Acid

15. Preservastat

16. (e,e)-sorbic Acid

17. Trans,trans-2,4-hexadienoic Acid

18. Crotylidene Acetic Acid

19. Kyselina Sorbova

20. Acetic Acid, Crotylidene-

21. (2e,4e)-2,4-hexadienoic Acid

22. (e,e)-1,3-pentadiene-1-carboxylic Acid

23. 22500-92-1

24. Acetic Acid, (2-butenylidene)-

25. Trans-trans-2,4-hexadienoic Acid

26. Hexadienoic Acid, (e,e)

27. (2-butenylidene)acetic Acid

28. C6:2n-2,4

29. Sorbic Acid (nf)

30. Sorbic Acid [nf]

31. 1,3-pentadiene-1-carboxylic Acid

32. 1,3-pentadiene-1-carboxylic Acid, (e,e)-

33. E 200

34. Kyselina 1,3-pentadien-1-karboxylova

35. (2-butenylidene) Acetic Acid

36. Fema No. 3921

37. Chebi:38358

38. Ins-200

39. X045wj989b

40. Nsc-35405

41. Nsc-49103

42. Nsc-50268

43. 5309-56-8

44. Ncgc00091737-01

45. .alpha.-trans-.gamma.-trans-sorbic Acid

46. Dsstox_cid_1277

47. 2,4-hexadienoic Acid, (2e,4e)-, Homopolymer

48. Dsstox_rid_76053

49. Dsstox_gsid_21277

50. Hexadienic Acid

51. Caswell No. 801

52. Sorbic Acid [usan]

53. Acidum Sorbicum

54. Kyselina Sorbova [czech]

55. 34344-66-6

56. Cas-110-44-1

57. Sorbic Acid Solution

58. Ccris 5748

59. Hsdb 590

60. (2e)-2,4-hexadienoic Acid

61. Einecs 203-768-7

62. Sorbic Acid, (e,e)-

63. Epa Pesticide Chemical Code 075901

64. Sorbinsaeure

65. Sorbinsaure

66. Sorbic-acid

67. Nsc49103

68. Unii-x045wj989b

69. Ai3-14851

70. E-sorbic Acid

71. Trans,trans-sa

72. Kyselina 1,3-pentadien-1-karboxylova [czech]

73. (e,e)-sorbic Acid; Sorbic Acid

74. Sorbic Acid Fcc

75. Hexa-2,4-dienoic Acid, (e,e)-

76. 2,4-hexadiensaeure

77. Mfcd00002703

78. Crotylidene-acetic Acid

79. Starbld0040592

80. Sorbic Acid [ii]

81. Sorbic Acid [mi]

82. Sorbic Acid [fcc]

83. Ec 203-768-7

84. Schembl1647

85. Sorbic Acid [hsdb]

86. Sorbic Acid [inci]

87. Sorbic Acid [vandf]

88. Sorbic Acid [mart.]

89. Sorbic Acid, >=99.0%

90. Mls002152937

91. (2-butenylidene)-acetic Acid

92. Sorbic Acid [usp-rs]

93. Sorbic Acid [who-dd]

94. (e,e)-sa

95. Chembl250212

96. (e,e)-hexa-2,4-dienoic Acid

97. Dtxsid3021277

98. Sorbic Acid, Analytical Standard

99. Chebi:35962

100. Fema 3921

101. Hms3039e13

102. Sorbic Acid [ep Monograph]

103. Sorbic Acid, Potassium Salt (van)

104. Hy-n0626

105. Str09707

106. Zinc1558385

107. Tox21_111164

108. Tox21_201719

109. Tox21_300182

110. 2,4-sa

111. Lmfa01030100

112. S4983

113. (2e,4e)-2,4-hexadienoic Acid #

114. Sorbic Acid 100 Microg/ml In Water

115. 2, 4-hexadienoic Acid Potassium Salt

116. Akos000119456

117. Ccg-266056

118. 2,4-hexadienoic Acid, (trans,trans)-

119. 2,4-hexadienoic Acid, >=99%, Fcc

120. Sorbic Acid 100 Microg/ml In Methanol

121. Ncgc00091737-02

122. Ncgc00091737-03

123. Ncgc00091737-05

124. Ncgc00253957-01

125. Ncgc00259268-01

126. E200

127. Smr001224532

128. Sorbic Acid 1000 Microg/ml In Methanol

129. Sorbic Acid, Tested According To Ph.eur.

130. Sorbic Acid, Saj First Grade, >=98.5%

131. Cs-0009618

132. S0053

133. Sorbic Acid 1000 Microg/ml In Acetonitrile

134. Sorbic Acid, Vetec(tm) Reagent Grade, 98%

135. (e,e)-2,4-hexadienoic Acid [fhfi]

136. Sorbic Acid, For Synthesis, 99.0-101.0%

137. Alpha-trans-laquo Gammaraquo -trans-sorbic Acid

138. D05892

139. E80726

140. Hexadienoic Acid1,3-pentadiene-1-carboxylic Acid

141. A829400

142. An-651/40229308

143. Q407131

144. J-002425

145. J-524281

146. F8886-8255

147. Sorbic Acid, European Pharmacopoeia (ep) Reference Standard

148. Sorbic Acid, United States Pharmacopeia (usp) Reference Standard

149. Sorbic Acid, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material

2.4 Create Date
2005-03-25
3 Chemical and Physical Properties
Molecular Weight 112.13 g/mol
Molecular Formula C6H8O2
XLogP31.3
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count1
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count2
Rotatable Bond Count2
Exact Mass112.052429494 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass112.052429494 g/mol
Topological Polar Surface Area37.3 Ų
Heavy Atom Count8
Formal Charge0
Complexity123
Isotope Atom Count0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count2
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Covalently Bonded Unit Count1
4 Drug and Medication Information
4.1 Therapeutic Uses

Food Preservatives

National Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Headings. Atomoxetine. Online file (MeSH, 2016). Available from, as of May 3, 2016: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2016/mesh_browser/MBrowser.html


The ocular bioavailability of timolol increased in sorbic acid solution due to ion pair formation. Its octanol/water partition coefficient also increased, suggesting the formation of a more lipophilic complex. The concentration of timolol in rabbit aqueous humor was determined after instillation of timolol ophthalmic solution containing sorbic acid. When the molar ratio of sorbic acid to timolol was two or higher, the concentration of timolol in the aqueous humor was higher than with timolol alone. In the presence of sorbic acid the maximal aqueous humor concentration and the area under the curve were more than two-fold higher than those of Timoptol, a timolol maleate ophthalmic solution, and similar in value to TIMOPTIC-XE, a gel-forming ophthalmic solution. To investigate the transcorneal absorption mechanism, in vitro permeation profiles across the intact and de-epithelialyzed cornea were analyzed on the basis of the bilayer diffusion model. The partition coefficient in the epithelium was about twice as high in the presence of sorbic acid than with timolol alone, although the diffusion coefficient in the epithelium did not change. We conclude that the improved ocular bioavailability in the presence of sorbic acid is due to increased partitioning of timolol in the corneal epithelium.

PMID:15019072 Higashiyama M et al; Int J Pharm 272 (1-2): 91-8 (2004)


4.2 Drug Warning

Topical medicaments and cosmetics containing sorbic acid should be avoided. There has been no evidence of flare-ups of eczema from ingestion of foods containing sorbic acid. Therefore, avoiding foods with sorbic acid is unnecessary.

Marks, J.G. Jr., DeLeo V.A., Contact and Occupational Dermatology. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Year Book 1992., p. 120


5 Pharmacology and Biochemistry
5.1 MeSH Pharmacological Classification

Food Preservatives

Substances capable of inhibiting, retarding or arresting the process of fermentation, acidification or other deterioration of foods. (See all compounds classified as Food Preservatives.)


5.2 Absorption, Distribution and Excretion

Following oral administration of radiolabelled sorbic acid, ... the total recovery of radioactivity was approx. 100% of the low and high doses. The major route of metabolism of sorbic acid was via expired CO2 with approx. 85% of the admininstered radioactivity being recovered as CO2 within 4-10 hours post administration. From the rate and extent of this metabolism, it may be concluded that sorbic acid is rapidly and quantitatively absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA); Registered Substances, Hexa-2,4-dienoic acid (CAS Number: 110-44-1) (EC Number: 203-768-7) (Last updated: December 27, 2015). Available from, as of May 2, 2016: https://echa.europa.eu/


5.3 Metabolism/Metabolites

Metabolism of sorbic acid in rats is identical to that of normally occurring fatty acids. Under normal conditions of intake, sorbic acid is almost completely oxidized to carbon dioxide and water. Traces (0.1% of dose) may be converted by oxidation to trans,trans-muconic acid.

Bingham, E.; Cohrssen, B.; Powell, C.H.; Patty's Toxicology Volumes 1-9 5th ed. John Wiley & Sons. New York, N.Y. (2001)., p. V5 812


1,4-Dinitro-2-methylpyrrole, a mutagenic product formed by the interaction of two common food additives, sorbic acid and sodium nitrite, was transformed to 1-nitro-2-methyl-4-aminopyrrole by human fecal mixtures and various intestinal bacterial strains.

Bingham, E.; Cohrssen, B.; Powell, C.H.; Patty's Toxicology Volumes 1-9 5th ed. John Wiley & Sons. New York, N.Y. (2001)., p. V5 812


Following oral administration of radiolabelled sorbic acid, ... the total recovery of radioactivity was approx. 100% of the low and high doses. The major route of metabolism of sorbic acid was via expired CO2 with approx. 85% of the administered radioactivity being recovered as CO2 within 4-10 hours p.a. From the rate and extent of this metabolism, it may be concluded that sorbic acid is rapidly and quantitatively absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA); Registered Substances, Hexa-2,4-dienoic acid (CAS Number: 110-44-1) (EC Number: 203-768-7) (Last updated: December 27, 2015). Available from, as of May 2, 2016: https://echa.europa.eu/