Calcium propionate can be prepared through three methods. Method 1 involves passing a vapor mixture of propionic acid and water into an aqueous solution of calcium propionate and calcium hydroxide. Method 2 reacts calcium oxide or hydroxide with propionitrile followed by ammonia stripping. Method 3 directly reacts calcium oxide, propionic acid, and water. Method 2 yields the highest amount at 98.73% making it the best preparation method.

2. Preparation Methods for
Calcium Propionate
AHTSHAM ASHRAF
13001140013
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

3. Contents
 Introduction
 Uses
 Methods for Preparation
 Comparison
 Conclusion
 References

4. Introduction
 Calcium Propionate is white crystals, powder or granules with not more than a
faint odour of propionic acid.
 It is a calcium salt of propionic acid.
 IUPAC Name Calcium Propanoate.
 Other Names Calcium propionate, Calcium dipropionate, Mycoban.
 Molecular formula C6H10CaO4.
 Molar Mass 186.2192 g/mol.
 Solubility in water 49 g/100 ml at 0’C, 55.8 g/100 ml at 100’C.
 Solubility in others solvents slightly soluble in methanol, ethanol insoluble
in acetone, benzene
Structural formula

5. Uses
 Calcium propanoate is used as a preservative in a wide variety of products
like.
 Bread and other baked goods, processed meat, whey, and other dairy
products.
 In agriculture, it is used to prevent milk fever in cows and as a feed
supplement.
 Calcium propanoate also used in bakery products as a mold inhibitor.
 Calcium propanoate used as a fungicide on fruit.

6. Preparation Methods
Method 1:
 Calcium propionate is prepared by passing a vaporous mixture of propionic acid and water into
an aqueous solution containing calcium propionate and calcium hydroxide, with or without
propionic acid
 2C2H5COOH + Ca(OH)2 Ca(C2H5COO)2 + 2H2O

7. Method 2
 Charge water and calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide to the reactor.
 Heat to nearly reaction temperature (approximately 200' C) under pressure (approximately 250 psi).
 Add propionitrile slowly, heat of reaction raises reaction temperature to approximately 200' C.
 Hold at 200' C to complete the reaction.
 Vent reactor to remove most of the byproduct ammonia (with water).
 Feed the product from the reactor to the ammonia stripper to remove the residual ammonia.
 Circulate the product from the trim tank to the ammonia stripper to remove the last traces of ammonia.

8.  Divert the product to the holding tank when the ammonia specification has been attained.
 Adjust the pH to the specification with propionic acid.
 Filter and dry the product.
 Reactions: -
OH
 CH3CH2CN + H2O CH3CH2CONH2
2CH3CH2CONH2 + Ca(OH)2 Ca(CH3CH2CO2)2 + 2NH3

9. Flow Sheet Diagram

10. Method 3
 Calcium propionate is produced by reacting calcium oxide, propionic acid and water, followed
by drying of the salt.
 CaO + C2H5COOH + H2O Ca(C2H5COO)2

11. Comparison
Methods 1 2 3
Yields 83% 98.73% 98%
Conclusion:
Method 2 is best for the preparation of calcium propionate. Which has the highest yield that is
98.73%.

12. References
 Center for Food and Nutrition Policy review of use of calcium propanoate as an organic agent in cow feed and as milk fever prevention.
 Codex Alimentarius data for calcium propanoate.
 http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/necfe/pubs/pdf/Venture/venture3_chemical.html.
 Biggs, A. R.; El-Kholi, M. M.; El-Neshawy, S.; Nickerson, R. (1997). "Effects of Calcium Salts
on Growth, Polygalacturonase Activity, and Infection of Peach Fruit by Monilinia
fructicola".Plant Disease 81 (4): 399. doi:10.1094/PDIS.1997.81.4.399
 United State Patent, Merkel et al, Patent number 4,700,000, Date of patent Oct. 13, 1987.
 Gras Notification Calcium Propionate, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health
and Human Services Washington D.C. Aug.11, 2004.
 Propionic acid and its salts for all animal species; European Food Safety Authority, 2011.