Sorbic acid SDS/MSDS (Safety Data Sheet)

3.1 Substances
Product name: Sorbic acid
CAS Number: 110-44-1
PubChem CID: 643460
Molecular formula: C6H8O2
Molecular weight: 112.13 g/mol
IUPAC name: (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dienoic acid

3.2 Mixtures
Not applicable (pure substance).

4.1 Description of first aid measures
Inhalation: Fresh air, rest.
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.
Eye contact: First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Rest. Refer for medical attention .

4.2 Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
See Section 11 (Toxicological Information).

4.3 Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
Treat symptomatically. Contact a poison control center or physician for severe exposure.

5.1 Extinguishing media
Suitable: Water spray, dry chemical, carbon dioxide (CO2), alcohol-resistant foam.
Unsuitable: None known.

5.2 Specific hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Fires involving this material can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. A water spray may also be used. (NTP, 1992)
Use water in large amounts, water spray, foam.
Suitable extinguishing media: Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Advice for firefighters: Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
To fight fire, use water.

5.3 Advice for firefighters
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and full protective clothing.
Fight fire from upwind. Cool containers with water spray until fire is extinguished.
Flash point: 260 °F (NTP, 1992)

6.1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (see Section 8).
Avoid breathing dust/vapor. Ensure adequate ventilation.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Keep people away from and upwind of spill.

6.2 Environmental precautions
Prevent product from entering drains, waterways, or soil.
Contain spill with inert absorbent material.

6.3 Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up
Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Wash away remainder with plenty of water. Personal protection: P2 filter respirator for harmful particles.
ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust. Environmental precautions: Do not let product enter drains. Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up: Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
SRP: Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in air, soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations. If it is possible or reasonable use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination.
Product: Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company. Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material; Contaminated packaging: Dispose of as unused product.
ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES: Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures: Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Avoid breathing dust. Environmental precautions: Do not let product enter drains.
Precautions for safe handling: Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Further processing of solid materials may result in the formation of combustible dusts. The potential for combustible dust formation should be taken into consideration before additional processing occurs. Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed.
Appropriate engineering controls: Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.
For more Preventive Measures (Complete) data for SORBIC ACID (6 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

7.1 Precautions for safe handling
SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: Should a spill occur while you are handling this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION, then you should dampen the solid spill material with 60-70% ethanol and transfer the dampened material to a suitable container. Use absorbent paper dampened with 60-70% ethanol to pick up any remaining material. Seal the absorbent paper, and any of your clothes, which may be contaminated, in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with 60-70% ethanol followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.
STORAGE PRECAUTIONS: You should protect this chemical from exposure to light. Keep the container tightly closed under an inert atmosphere, and store under refrigerated temperatures. Store away from oxidizing materials. (NTP, 1992)
Well closed.
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Recommended storage temperature 2 - 8 °C. Storage class (TRGS 510): Non Combustible Solids.
Should be stored at temps below 40 °C.

7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
Well closed.
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Recommended storage temperature 2 - 8 °C. Storage class (TRGS 510): Non Combustible Solids.
Should be stored at temps below 40 °C.
Store away from incompatible materials (see Section 10).
[Note: Specific storage temperature not available in public databases. Refer to supplier Certificate of Analysis (COA) for exact storage conditions.]

9.1 Information on basic physical and chemical properties
a) Appearance: Sorbic acid appears as white powder or crystals. Melting point 134.5 °C. Slightly acidic and astringent taste with a faint odor.
b) Odor: Relatively odorless
c) Odor threshold: No data available
d) pH: No data available
e) Melting point/freezing point: 274.1 °F (NTP, 1992)
f) Initial boiling point and boiling range: 442 °F at 760 mmHg (decomposes) (NTP, 1992)
g) Flash point: 260 °F (NTP, 1992)
h) Evaporation rate: No data available
i) Flammability (solid, gas): No data available
j) Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: No data available
k) Vapor pressure: less than 0.01 mmHg at 68 °F ; 9.8 mmHg at 266 °F (NTP, 1992)
l) Vapor density: No data available
m) Relative density: 1.204 at 66 °F (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water; will sink
n) Water solubility: less than 1 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992)
o) Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water: Log P (n-octanol/water): 1.3
p) Auto-ignition temperature: No data available
q) Decomposition temperature: No data available
r) Viscosity: No data available
s) Explosive properties: No data available
t) Oxidizing properties: No data available

9.2 Other information
Topological Polar Surface Area (TPSA): 37.3 Ų
Complexity: 122

11.1 Information on toxicological effects
Acute toxicity:
No acute toxicity data available.
Skin corrosion/irritation:
Causes skin irritation (H315).
Serious eye damage/eye irritation:
Causes serious eye irritation (H319).
Respiratory or skin sensitization:
No data available.
Germ cell mutagenicity:
No data available.
Carcinogenicity:
No data available.
Reproductive toxicity:
No data available.
Specific target organ toxicity (single exposure):
No data available.
Specific target organ toxicity (repeated exposure):
No data available.
Aspiration hazard:
No data available.

11.2 Additional information
Carcinogen classification:
No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC).
Exposure routes:
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol.
Signs and symptoms of exposure:
Cough. Sore throat.
Redness. Pain.
Redness. Pain. Blurred vision.
Burning sensation.
Data source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) via PubChem.

12.1 Toxicity
LC50; Species: Graphognathus spp, larvae; Concentration: 500 mg/L for 10 days /Conditions of bioassay not specified/
LC100; Species: Graphognathus spp, larvae; Concentration: 5,000 mg/L for 10 days /Conditions of bioassay not specified/
LC100; Species: Chaetogammarus marinus; Concentration: 320 mg/L for 96 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/
LC50; Species: Leuciscus idus; Concentration: 1,000-1,500 mg/L for 48 hr /Conditions of bioassay not specified/
Sorbic acid's production and use as a preservative and antimicrobial agent for foods, animal feeds, tobacco, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. Sorbic acid has been identified in tobacco smoke. It has been detected in Magnolia vine, Rowan berry and mountain ash berry. If released to the atmosphere, sorbic acid is expected to exist solely in the vapor phase in the ambient atmosphere based on a vapor pressure of 3.08X10-4 mm Hg at 25 °C. Vapor-phase sorbic acid is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with nitrate radicals, ozone and photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals with estimated half-lives of 1.4, 5.2 and 7.6 hours, respectively. Sorbic acid absorbs at wavelengths >290 nm and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight. If released to soil, sorbic acid is expected to have very high mobility based upon an estimated Koc of 9. The pKa of sorbic acid is 4.76, indicating that this compound will exist almost entirely in the ani

12.2 Persistence and degradability
No data available.

12.3 Bioaccumulative potential
Log P (n-octanol/water): 1.3
Low potential for bioaccumulation (Log P < 3).

12.4 Mobility in soil
No data available.

12.5 Results of PBT and vPvB assessment
PBT/vPvB assessment not available.

12.6 Other adverse effects
No other adverse ecological effects identified.

13.1 Waste treatment methods
Waste Treatment Methods: Waste material must be disposed of in accordance with national and local regulations. Leave chemicals in original containers and do not mix with other waste. Handle uncleaned containers in the same manner as the product itself.

14.1 UN number
Not regulated as dangerous goods (research quantities typically exempt).

14.2 UN proper shipping name
Not subject to transport regulations (small quantities for research use).

14.3 Transport hazard class(es)
Not classified as dangerous goods for transport (research quantities).

14.4 Packing group
Not applicable (not regulated as dangerous goods in typical research quantities).

14.5 Environmental hazards
Marine pollutant: No (not classified as environmentally hazardous per GHS).

14.6 Special precautions for user
Transport in original packaging. Ensure containers are tightly sealed.
For bulk or commercial quantities, consult applicable transport regulations (DOT, IATA, IMDG).

14.7 Transport in bulk according to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 and the IBC Code
Not applicable.

15.1 Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture
US EPA / TSCA: Subject to EPA TSCA regulations
EU ECHA / REACH: Registered (REACH Active)

SARA 302 Components:
No chemicals in this material are subject to the reporting requirements of SARA Title III, Section 302.
SARA 313 Components:
This material does not contain any chemical components with known CAS numbers that exceed the threshold (De Minimis) reporting levels established by SARA Title III, Section 313.
SARA 311/312 Hazards:
Acute (short-term) health hazard

Massachusetts Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the Massachusetts Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
Pennsylvania Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the Pennsylvania Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.
New Jersey Right To Know Components:
This material contains components subject to the New Jersey Right to Know Act. See Section 2 for hazard classification.

California Prop. 65 Components:
This product does not contain any chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or any other reproductive harm.

Other regulatory listings:
- The Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals: Chemical: 2,4-Hexadienoic acid, (E,E)-
- EFSA Legal Basis: Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 (Repealed by Com. Implementing Reg. (EU) No 872/2012)
- Atmospheric Standards: This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to us
- FIFRA Requirements: Residues of sorbic acid are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance when used in accordance with good agricultural practice as inert (or occasionally active) ingredients in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops or to raw agricultural commodities after harvest. Use: Preservative for fo
- FDA Requirements: Sorbic acid used as a chemical preservative in food for human consumption is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice.
Sorbic acid used as a chemical preservative in animal drugs, feeds, and related products is generally recognized as safe when used in ac

15.2 Chemical safety assessment
A chemical safety assessment has not been carried out for this substance.
For research-use-only compounds, no CSA is required under REACH Annex I.

Revision Date: 2026/09/09
Further Information: The information provided is believed to be correct but is not exhaustive and should be used only as a guideline based on current knowledge. It does not represent a guarantee of the properties of the product. Selleck Chemicals Corporation and its Affiliates shall not be held liable for any damage resulting from handling or contact with the product.