Formula: C6H8O6
SMILES string: C1(O)=C(O)C(=O)OC1(C(O)CO)
Melting point: 190-192 °C.
Ascorbic acid is easily oxidized and so is used as a reductant in photographic developer solutions (among others) and as a preservative.
The L enantiomer of ascorbic acid is also known as vitamin C (the name ascorbic comes from its property of preventing and curing scurvy). All primates, except humans, and a few other species, such as the Guinea Pig, can synthesise vitamin C from glucose.
Ascorbic acid and its sodium, potassium, and calcium salts are commonly used as antioxidant food additives. These compounds are water soluble and thus can't protect fats from oxidation: for this purpose, the fat-soluble esters of ascorbic acid with long-chain fatty acids (ascorbyl palmitate or ascorbyl stearate) can be used as food antioxidants.\n
Uses