Sodium anisate (sodium 4-methoxybenzoate) is a chemical compound obtained from the extraction of star anise anethole (p-anisic acid) with the sodium salt of methoxybenzoic acid by steam distillation.
The name describes the structure of the molecule:
- Sodium is a chemical element commonly used in cosmetics and skincare products as a stabilizing agent or pH regulator.
- anisate is derived from anisic acid, an organic compound naturally found in anise. Anisate has antimicrobial properties and is often used as a natural preservative in skincare products to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Raw Materials Used in the Production
Sodium Anisate is primarily produced from anisic acid, which is derived from anethole, a component of anise oil, and sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
Functions of Raw Materials
- Anisic Acid - Provides the acidic component for the formation of the salt
- Sodium Hydroxide - Reacts with anisic acid to form the sodium salt
- Industrial Chemical Synthesis Process
- Preparation - Anisic acid is prepared or extracted as a precursor
- Reaction - Anisic acid reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium anisate
- Purification - The product is purified to remove impurities
It appears in the form of a white powder

What it is used for and where
Cosmetics
It is an antimicrobial that is included in cosmetic formulations to reduce the bacterial load on the skin and to reduce unpleasant odours in the product in which it is inserted, and to perfume products in which unpleasant odours need to be masked because its penetrating scent is 'covering'.
Some antifungal agents have the effect of inhibiting preservative power against bacteria and yeasts, while Sodium anisate has been shown to strengthen its effect against mould (1).
Altri usi
Conservante per prodotti chimici di uso quotidiano.

| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Boiling Point | 278.3ºC at 760mmHg |
| Flash Point | 115.5℃ |
| Solubility in water | 20 ℃ 17.2% 25℃ 22.0% 30℃ 27.0% 40℃ 40.0% |
| PSA | 49.36000 |
| LogP | 0.05870 |
| Shelf Life | 2 Years |
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- Molecular Formula C8H7NaO3
- Molecular Weight 174.13
- Exact Mass 174.02900
- CAS 536-45-8
- UNII F9WFJ28MV9
- EC Number 208-634-1
- DSSTox Substance ID DTXSID00201818
- IUPAC sodium;4-methoxybenzoate
- InChl=1S/C8H8O3.Na/c1-11-7-4-2-6(3-5-7)8(9)10;/h2-5H,1H3,(H,9,10);/q;+1/p-1
- InChl Key AETSDHMVQHOYPB-UHFFFAOYSA-M
- SMILES COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C(=O)[O-].[Na+]
- MDL number
- PubChem Substance ID
- CHEMBL1762657
- SCHEMBL1043956
Synonyms
- 4-Methoxybenzoic acid sodium salt
- sodium p-methoxybenzoate
- Benzoic acid, 4-methoxy-, sodium salt
- Natriumanisat
- Benzoic acid,4-methoxy-, sodium salt (1:1)



