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Propionic acid
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<p>Propionic acid is a naturally occurring <a href="/facts/Carboxylic_acid/U4xuMosy">carboxylic acid</a> with <a href="/facts/Chemical_formula/hghUtthl">chemical formula</a> CH3CH2CO2H. It is a liquid with a pungent and unpleasant smell somewhat resembling <a href="/facts/Body_odor/kNh13VGp">body odor</a>. The <a href="/facts/Anion/wrbwhF3z">anion</a> CH3CH2CO−2 as well as the <a href="/facts/Carboxylate_salt/vEDekXRr">salts</a> and <a href="/facts/Ester/FoUAIIw4">esters</a> of propionic acid are known as propionates or propanoates. </p><p>About half of the world production of propionic acid is consumed as a <a href="/facts/Preservative/sm1IDmDT">preservative</a> for both animal feed and food for human consumption. It is also useful as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals, especially polymers. </p>