Question

write the formula of the original alcohol from which sorbic acid was made

Answer 1

Sorbic acid was first discovered in 1859 from unripe berries of the rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia), which is where the name originated. However, it was not until the late 1930s that its antimicrobial properties were revealed. It was discovered first in Germany by E. Muller and then a few months later by C. S. Gooding in the U.S.

Sorbic acid is produced synthetically for commercial use. The main method is creating a condensation reaction of ketene and crotonaldehyde. It is purified with a treatment of sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid and activated carbon. For food uses and increased solubility in water, it is granulated by extrusion and pelletization.