Ascorbic Acid

C₆H₈O₆

IUPAC: (5R)-5-[(1S)-1,2-Dihydroxyethyl]-3,4-dihydroxy-2(5H)-furanone

CAS: 50-81-7

Overview

Ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C, is an essential nutrient and powerful antioxidant. Humans cannot synthesize it and must obtain it from diet.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Hydrogen H 8 1.0080
Carbon C 6 12.0110
Oxygen O 6 15.9990

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×8
4.6%
C
Carbon ×6
40.9%
O
Oxygen ×6
54.5%

Uses

  • • Dietary supplement
  • • Food antioxidant
  • • Photography
  • • Skin care

Fun Facts

  • ✦ Scurvy, caused by vitamin C deficiency, killed more sailors than storms and battles combined

Structure

SMILES

C(C(C1C(=C(C(=O)O1)O)O)O)O

Properties

Type
organic
State
solid
Molar Mass
176.12 g/mol
Density
1.6500 g/cm³
Melting Point
190.0 °C
Solubility
330 g/L at 20°C

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
176.0321
XLogP
-1.6
TPSA
107.0 Ų
H-Bond Donors
4
H-Bond Acceptors
6
Rotatable Bonds
2
Heavy Atoms
12
Complexity
232.0

Related Compounds

1,2-Dichloroethane

C₂H₄Cl₂

1,3-Butadiene

C₄H₆

1,4-Dioxane

C₄H₈O₂

1-Butanol

C₄H₁₀O

2-Propanol

C₃H₈O

Acetaldehyde

CH₃CHO

Acetamide

C₂H₅NO

Acetic Anhydride

C₄H₆O₃

Acetone

(CH₃)₂CO

Acetonitrile

C₂H₃N

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ascorbic Acid?
Ascorbic Acid (C₆H₈O₆) is a organic compound with the IUPAC name (5R)-5-[(1S)-1,2-Dihydroxyethyl]-3,4-dihydroxy-2(5H)-furanone.
What is the molecular weight of Ascorbic Acid?
Ascorbic Acid has a molar mass of 176.12 g/mol.
What state is Ascorbic Acid at room temperature?
Ascorbic Acid is a solid at room temperature.
Is Ascorbic Acid organic or inorganic?
Ascorbic Acid is classified as an organic compound.
What elements make up Ascorbic Acid?
Ascorbic Acid (C₆H₈O₆) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Oxygen (O).