2,4-Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt (1:1), (2E,4E)- (CAS 24634-61-5) — Citrus Non-olfactive Note Fragrance Ingredient
2,_4-_Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt (1:1)_, (2E,_4E)_-
CAS 24634-61-5
What Is 2,_4-_Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt (1:1)_, (2E,_4E)_-?
2,4-Hexadienoic acid potassium salt is a synthetic compound primarily used as a preservative in food and cosmetics. Consumers may encounter it in processed foods, personal care products, and some household items. This ingredient helps prevent microbial growth, extending product shelf life while maintaining safety standards.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does 2,_4-_Hexadienoic acid, potassium salt (1:1)_, (2E,_4E)_- Smell Like?
This compound is primarily functional rather than aromatic, with minimal odor impact in formulations. In pure form, it may present faint metallic or chemical notes that dissipate quickly. As a preservative, it’s used at concentrations well below olfactory detection thresholds, making its sensory contribution negligible in finished products.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: [K+].C\C=C\C=C\C([O-])=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
2,4-Hexadienoic acid potassium salt is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid. It’s produced synthetically through ketene chemistry, reacting crotonaldehyde with ketene to form the acid, followed by neutralization with potassium hydroxide. The (2E,4E)-configuration is most common in commercial preparations. This white, water-soluble powder dissociates in solution to exert antimicrobial activity through disruption of microbial cell membranes.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
|---|---|
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics | 0.1-0.3% | Up to 0.6% | Preservative system component |
| Food | 0.05-0.2% | Up to 0.3% | Anti-mold agent |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in water-based systems where microbial protection is needed without affecting fragrance profile.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More common food-grade form with identical antimicrobial properties.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted by IFRA – primarily used as preservative rather than fragrance ingredient.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
Evaluated as food additive; extensive safety data available through JECFA and EFSA.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks with established industrial processes. While not renewable, it’s used at very low concentrations. Proper wastewater treatment is recommended due to potential aquatic toxicity at high concentrations.
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References
- EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2015). Re-evaluation of sorbic acid and its salts. EFSA Journal. EFSA Journal 13(6):4144
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID7027835
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 150.218 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.681 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 209 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 201.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | -1.79 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | -2.72 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | -4.57 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.81 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.02 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.331 mmHg📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 40.13 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
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