Ascorbic acid

 

Ascorbic acid
aka Vitamin C

Chemical formula	C6H8O6
OTP appearance	white solid
Molar Mass(g/mol)	176.12
Density(g/cc)	1.65
Melting Point(°C)	190
Solubility in water(g/L)	330
Solubility in ethanol(g/L)	20
Solubility in ether(g/L)	soluble
NFPA 704	1 1 0

Uses

Primary

• Pharm: WHO LEM Vitamin

Natural occurrence

• does occur naturally in many plants, particularly citrus fruits

Production

Synthesis

Similar to the process for citric acid: combine the calcium salt of ascorbic acid with sulfuric acid.

1. Combine sulfuric acid and calcium ascorbate giving ascorbic acid and precipiting calcium sulfate

   H₂SO₄ + Ca(C₆H₇O₆)₂ → CaSO₄(s) + 2 C₆H₈O₆