Solubility Measurements and Thermodynamic Properties of Sorbic Acid in Binary Solvent Mixtures of (Ethanol, 1-Propanol or 2-Propanol + Water) from 283.15 to 323.15 K

The solubility data of sorbic acid in binary systems of (ethanol + water), (1-propanol + water) and (2-propanol + water) were measured from 283.15 to 323.15 K using the static equilibrium method under atmospheric pressure. It was found that the solubility of sorbic acid in the three binary solvent systems increased with increasing temperature as well as increasing initial mole fraction of organic solvent in these systems. The van’t Hoff–Jouyban–Acree model, the modified Apelblat–Jouyban–Acree model and the CNIBS/R-K model were proposed for correlating the experimental solubility values in various solution systems. Furthermore, the dissolution thermodynamic properties of Gibbs energy change (Δ sol G o ), molar enthalpy change (Δ sol H o ) and molar entropy change (Δ sol S o ) were calculated from the experimental solubility data, using the van’t Hoff equation. The positive values of Δ sol G o , Δ sol H o and Δ sol S o indicate that these dissolution processes of sorbic acid in the solvents studied were all endothermic and entropically favorable. In addition, the change of dissolution enthalpy was the main contributor to the positive value of the molar Gibbs energy of the dissolution process. The experimental solubility and the models used in this work would be conducive to purifying sorbic acid from its crude mixtures.