Specifications of Benzoic Acid USP Grade
C7H6O2 --- 122.12
Benzoic acid CAS 65-85-0.

Benzoic Acid contains not less than 99.5 percent and not more than 100.5 percent of C7H6O2, calculated on the anhydrous basis.

Specifications of Benzoic Acid FCC Food Grade
C7H6O2 Formula weight --- 122.12
INS: 210 CAS: 65-85-0

DESCRIPTION
Benzoic Acid occurs as white crystals, scales, or needles. It begins to sublime at about 100C and is volatile with steam. One gram is soluble in 275 mL of water at 25C, in 20 mL of boiling water, in 3 mL of alcohol, in 5 mL of chloroform, and in 3 mL of ether. It is soluble in fixed and in volatile oils and is sparingly soluble in hexane.

REQUIREMENTS
Identification: Dissolve 1 g of sample in a 20:1 (v/v) mixture of water and 1 N sodium hydroxide, filter the solution, and add about 1 mL of ferric chloride TS. A buff-colored precipitate forms.
Assay: Not less than 99.5% and not more than 100.5% of C7H6O2, calculated on the anhydrous basis.
Lead: Not more than 2.0 mg/kg.
Readily Carbonizable Substances: Passes test.
Readily Oxidizable Substances: Passes test.
Residue on Ignition: Not more than 0.05%.
Solidification Point: Between 121-123C.
Water: Not more than 0.7%.

Specifications of Benzoic Acid BP Ph Eur Grade
C7H6O2 -- 122.1 -- CAS 65-85-0

CHARACTERS
A white, crystalline powder or colourless crystals, odourless or with a very slight characteristic odour, slightly soluble in water, soluble in boiling water, freely soluble in alcohol and in fatty oils.

IDENTIFICATION
A. Melting point 121C to 124C.
B. Solution S (see Tests) gives reaction (a) of benzoates.

TESTS
Solution S: Dissolve 5.0 g in alcohol and dilute to 100 ml with the same solvent.
Appearance of solution: Solution S is clear and colourless.
Carbonizable substances: Dissolve 0.5 g with shaking in 5 ml of sulphuric acid. After 5 min, the solution is not more intensely coloured than reference solution.
Oxidizable substances: Dissolve 0.2 g in 10 ml of boiling water. Cool, shake and filter. To the filtrate add 1 ml of dilute sulphuric acid and 0.2 ml of 0.02 M potassium permanganate. After 5 min, the solution is still coloured pink.
Halogenated compounds and halides: All glassware used must be chloride-free and may be prepared by soaking overnight in a 500 g/l solution of nitric acid, rinsed with water and stored full of water. It is recommended that glassware be reserved for this test.
Solution (a) Dissolve 6.7 g of the substance to be examined in a mixture of 40 ml of 1 M sodium hydroxide and 50 ml of alcohol and dilute to 100.0 ml with water. To 10.0 ml of this solution add 7.5 ml of dilute sodium hydroxide solution and 0.125 g of nickel-aluminium alloy and heat on a water-bath for 10 min. Allow to cool to room temperature, filter into a 25 ml volumetric flask and wash with three quantities, each of 2 ml, of alcohol. Dilute the filtrate and washings to 25.0 ml with water. This solution is used to prepare solution A.
Solution (b) In the same manner, prepare a similar solution without the substance to be examined. This solution is used to prepare solution B.
In four 25 ml volumetric flasks, place separately 10 ml of solution (a), 10 ml of solution (b), 10 ml of chloride standard solution (8 ppm Cl) (used to prepare solution C) and 10 ml of water. To each flask add 5 ml of ferric ammonium sulphate solution, mix and add drop wise and with swirling 2 ml of nitric acid and 5 ml of mercuric thiocyanate solution. Shake. Dilute the contents of each flask to 25.0 ml with water and allow the solutions to stand in a water-bath at 20C for 15 min. Measure at 460 nm the absorbance of solution A using solution B as the compensation liquid, and the absorbance of solution C using the solution obtained with 10 ml of water as the compensation liquid. The absorbance of solution A is not greater than that of solution C (300 ppm).
Heavy metals: 12 ml of solution S complies with limit test B for heavy metals (10 ppm).
Sulphated ash: Not more than 0.1 per cent, determined on 1.0 g.

REQUIREMENTS
Assay: 99.5% C6H5COOH
Freezing point: 122-123C

MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE
Residue after ignition: 0.005%
Insoluble in methanol: 0.005%
Chlorine compounds (as Cl): 0.005%
Sulfur compounds (as S): 0.002%
Heavy metals (as Pb): 5 ppm
Substances reducing permanganate: Passes test.