2-(4-methylphenyl)propanoic acid is a colorless crystal without smelly or taste.The melting point is 37-42 ºC.It is used in pharmaceutical and pesticide intermediates. It is miscible with water, but can be removed from water by adding salt. As with acetic and formic acids, it consists of hydrogen bonded pairs of molecules both as the liquid and vapor. Propanoic acid inhibits the growth of mold and some bacteria at the levels between 0.1 and 1% by weight. As a result, most propanoic acid produced is consumed as a preservative for both animal feed and food for human consumption.
Propanoic acid (from 'propane', and also known as propionic acid) is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid with chemical formula CH3CH2COOH. It is a clear liquid with a pungent odor. The anion CH3CH2COO as well as the salts and esters of propanoic acid are known as propanoates (or propionates). Propanoic acid has physical properties intermediate between those of the smaller carboxylic acids, formic and acetic acids, and the larger fatty acids. It is also produced by the aerobic oxidation of propionaldehyde. In the presence of cobalt or manganese ions, this reaction proceeds rapidly at temperatures as mild as 40–50 °C. Propanoic acid is produced biologically as its coenzyme A ester, propionyl-CoA, from the metabolic breakdown of fatty acids containing odd numbers of carbon atoms, and also from the breakdown of some amino acids.
More about; The Function of 2-(4-methylphenyl)propanoic acid
Read more>> http://www.natural-fatty-acids.com/