Benzoic acid is the simplest aromatic carboxylic acid and an intermediate in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Available in various quantities and reagent grades, it is used to produce phenol, plasticizers, benzoyl chloride, food preservatives, etc.
Benzoic acid is an important precursor for the preparation of many other organic substances viz. benzoyl chloride, benylbenzoate, phenol, sodium benzoate, benzyl alcohol as well as benzoate plasticizers such as glycol-, diethhyleneglycol- and triethyleneglycol esters.