Calcium Acetate

Basic Information

Name: Calcium Acetate

CAS No: Calcium acetate [62-54-4]

Functional Categories

Antimicrobial preservative Sequestering agent Therapeutic agent

1. Nonproprietary Names

BP: Calcium Acetate PhEur: Calcium Acetate USP: Calcium Acetate

2. Synonyms

Acetate of lime; acetic acid, calcium salt; brown acetate; calcii acetas; calcium diacetate; E263; gray acetate; lime acetate; lime pyrolignite; vinegar salts

3. Chemical Name & CAS Registry

Calcium acetate [62-54-4]

4. Empirical Formula & Molecular Weight

C4H6CaO4 158.18

5. Structural Formula

6. Applications

Calcium acetate is used as a preservative in oral and topical formulations. Therapeutically, parenteral calcium acetate acts as a source of calcium ions for hypocalcemia or electrolyte balance.(1) Oral calcium acetate is used as a complexing agent for hyperphosphatemia in dialysis patients.(2,3) Calcium acetate is also used in the food industry as a stabilizer, buffer and sequestrant.

7. Description

Calcium acetate occurs as a white or almost white, odorless or almost odorless, hygroscopic powder.

8. Pharmacopeial Specifications

See Table I.

9. Typical Properties

Acidity/alkalinity pH = 6.3–9.6 (5% solution) Density: 1.50 g/cm3 Solubility Soluble in water; slightly soluble in methanol; practically insoluble in acetone, ethanol (dehydrated alcohol) and benzene.

10. Stability & Storage

Calcium acetate is stable although very hygroscopic, and so the monohydrate is the common form. It decomposes on heating (above 1608C) to form calcium carbonate and acetone. Store in well-closed airtight containers.

11. Incompatibilities

Calcium acetate is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and moisture.(4)

12. Method of Manufacture

Calcium acetate is manufactured by the reaction of calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide with acetic acid or pyroligneous acid.(5)

13. Safety

Calcium acetate is used in oral and topical formulations. The pure form of calcium acetate is toxic by IP and IV routes. LD50 (mouse, IP): 0.075 g/kg(6) LD50 (mouse, IV): 0.052 g/kg(6) LD50 (rat, oral): 4.28 g/kg(4)

14. Handling Precautions

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of the material handled. Although regarded as safe during normal industrial handling, calcium acetate may cause eye and respiratory tract irritation.(4) It is combustible and when heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and fumes. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Avoid breathing dust. Gloves, eye protection, respirator, and other protective clothing should be worn.

15. Regulatory Status

GRAS listed. Accepted for use as a food additive in Europe. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (oral suspensions and tablets; topical emulsions, lotions, and creams). Included in nonparenteral medicines (oral tablets) licensed in the UK.

16. Related Substances

Calcium acetate monohydrate; sodium acetate. Calcium acetate monohydrate Empirical formula C4H6CaO4H2O Molecular weight 176.17 CAS number [5743-26-0] Acidity/alkalinity pH = 7.6 (0.2 M aqueous solution) Appearance Needles, granules, or powder. Solubility Soluble in water; slightly soluble in alcohol.

17. Comments

Calcium acetate is used in the chemical industry for the manufacture of acetic acid, acetates and acetone, and for the precipitation of oxalates. A specification for calcium acetate is contained in the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC).(7) The EINECS number for calcium acetate is 200-540-9. The PubChem Compound ID (CID) for calcium acetate is 6116