propionic acid
English edit
Etymology edit
From French acide propionique, coined by chemist Jean-Baptiste Dumas, from Ancient Greek πρῶτος (prôtos) ("first") and πίων (píōn) ("fat"), because it was the smallest carboxylic acid that exhibited the properties of the other fatty acids, such as producing an oily layer when salted out of water and having a soapy potassium salt.
Noun edit
- (organic chemistry) The compound with the formula CH3CH2COOH, a naturally occurring carboxylic acid with a pungent odor.
Synonyms edit
- propanoic acid
- E280 when used as a preservative
Derived terms edit
- isobutylphenyl propionic acid
- propionate
- The widely used prop- prefix