What is "benzoic acid"

Benzoic \Ben*zo"ic\ (b[e^]n*z[=o]"[i^]k), a. [Cf. F. benzo["i]que.] Pertaining to, or obtained from, benzoin.

Benzoic acid, or flowers of benzoin, a peculiar vegetable acid, C6H5.CO2H, obtained from benzoin, and some other balsams, by sublimation or decoction. It is also found in the urine of infants and herbivorous animals. It crystallizes in the form of white, satiny flakes; its odor is aromatic; its taste is pungent, and somewhat acidulous.

Benzoic aldehyde, oil of bitter almonds; the aldehyde, C6H5.CHO, intermediate in composition between benzoic or benzyl alcohol, and benzoic acid. It is a thin colorless liquid.

n. (context organic compound English) A white crystalline organic acid, C₆H₅COOH; the simplest aromatic carboxylic acid; used as a food preservative and in many other industrial applications.

n. a white crystalline solid occurring in many resins

Benzoic acid , CHO (or CHCOOH), is a colorless crystalline solid and a simple aromatic carboxylic acid. The name is derived from gum benzoin, which was for a long time its only known source. Benzoic acid occurs naturally in many plants and it serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of many secondary metabolites. Salts of benzoic acid are used as food preservatives and benzoic acid is an important precursor for the industrial synthesis of many other organic substances. The salts and esters of benzoic acid are known as benzoates .