Ascorbic acid
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 L(+) ascorbic acid sample and original bottle
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 The structure of ascorbic acid.
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| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
(2R)-2-[(1S)-1,2-dihydroxyethyl]-3,4-dihydroxy-2H-furan-5-one
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| Other names
Ascoltin
Ascorbate Ascorbic acid L-ascorbic acid Vitamin C | |
| Properties | |
| C6H8O6 | |
| Molar mass | 176.12 g/mol |
| Appearance | White solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.694 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 190 °C (374 °F; 463 K) |
| Boiling point | 192 °C (378 °F; 465 K) (decomposes) |
| 30 g/100 ml (at 20 °C) 40 g/100 ml (at 40 °C) | |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in alcohols Insoluble in benzene, chloroform, dichloromethane, diethyl ether, petroleum ether, toluene, xylene, oils, lipids |
| Solubility in ethanol | 3.3 g/100 ml |
| Solubility in ethanol 95 % | 2 g/100 ml |
| Solubility in glycerol | 1 g/100 ml |
| Solubility in propylene glycol | 5 g/100 ml |
| Vapor pressure | 9.28·10-11 mmHg (25 °C) |
| Hazards | |
| Safety data sheet | Sigma-Aldrich |
| Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
| LD50 (Median dose)
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11,900 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Ascorbic acid is a naturally-occurring organic compound more routinely known as vitamin C. It is found naturally in many fruits and is a well-known antioxidant. It can be easily purchased in tablet or powder form in groceries or pharmacies. In the field of chemistry, it is used as a reducing agent, such as in the precipitation of elemental copper from a solution of copper(II) ions, as well as a means of introducing the ascorbate ion.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Ascorbic acid can be used to reduce silver nitrate to metallic silver.
It will also reduce hexavalent chromium to Cr(III).
Physical
Ascorbic acid is a white to light yellow solid, soluble in water, with a sour taste. It is soluble in water, less so in alcohols, glycerol, propylene glycol, and insoluble in benzene, chloroform, diethyl ether, petroleum ether, as well as fats and oils.
Availability
Ascorbic acid is sold in pharmacies an most food stores, usually in the form of pills. It is also sometimes sold in the winemaking sections of stores, in bulk quantities.
Preparation and isolation
Ascorbic acid is much cheaper to be extracted from fruits than synthesized from precursors. However, one will need large amounts of fruits or other plant material to get any useful amounts of ascorbic acid. Even extracting it from fruits that are very rich in vitamin C, like kakadu plums, acerola, seabuckthorn or the more common rose hips, requires a significant amount of said fruits.
Extraction from vitamin C supplements is easier, especially since vitamin supplements are usually cheap.
Projects
- Reduce various metals compounds to their respective metals
- Destroy Cr(VI) ions
- Vitamin C (food-grade only!)
Handling
Safety
Ascorbic acid is vital to the organism. Lack of ascorbic acid leads to scurvy.
Ascorbic acid has very low toxicity, but excess consumption may cause indigestion or diarrhea.
Storage
Ascorbic acid should be kept in closed bottles.
Disposal
Ascorbic acid can be safely poured down the drain, dumped in trash, soil or just burned, as it is practically non-toxic.
