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Gluconic acid



Gluconic acid
IUPAC name 2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanoic acid
Other names None
Identifiers
CAS number 526-95-4
SMILES occ(o)c(o)c(o)c(o)c(o)o
Properties
Molecular formula C6H12O7
Molar mass 196 g/mol
Appearance colorless crystals
Density  ?
Solubility in water good
Solubility in other solvents  ?
Acidity (pKa) 3.86
Hazards
Main hazards Corrosive (C)
Flash point  ?
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

Gluconic acid is the organic compound with the formula HOCH2(CHOH)4CO2H. In aqueous solution at neutral pH, carboxylic acid forms the gluconate ion and the salts of gluconic acid are also known as gluconates. Gluconic and gluconate salts occur widely in nature because such species arise from the oxidation of glucose.

Contents

Chemical structure

The chemical structure of gluconic acid consists of a six-carbon chain with five hydroxyl groups terminating in a carboxylic acid group. In aqueous solution, gluconic acid exists in equilibrium with the cyclic ester Glucono delta lactone.

Occurrence and uses

Gluconic acid occurs naturally in fruit, honey, kombucha tea, and wine. As a food additive, it is an acidity regulator. It is also used in cleaning products where it dissolves mineral deposits especially in alkaline solution. The gluconate anion chelates Ca2+, Fe2+, Al3+, and other heavy metals. Calcium gluconate is used to treat burns from hydrofluoric acid.

See also

  • Glucono delta-lactone

References

     
    This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Gluconic_acid". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.
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