Vitamin C

Ascorbic acid

Clinical data
Pronunciation	/əˈskɔːrbɪk/, /əˈskɔːrbeɪt, -bɪt/
Trade names	Ascor, Cecon, Cevalin, others
Other names	l-ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, ascorbate
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a682583
License data	US DailyMed: Ascorbic acid
Routes of administration	By mouth, intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV), subcutaneous
ATC code	A11GA01 (WHO) A11GB01 (WHO) G01AD03 (WHO) S01XA15 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	AU: Unscheduled UK: POM (Prescription only) / GSL[1][2] US: ℞-only / OTC/ Dietary Supplement[3]
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	Rapid, diminishes as dose increases[4]
Protein binding	Negligible
Elimination half-life	Varies according to plasma concentration
Excretion	Kidney
Identifiers
IUPAC name l-threo-Hex-2-enono-1,4-lactone or (R)-3,4-Dihydroxy-5-((S)- 1,2-dihydroxyethyl)furan-2(5H)-one
CAS Number	50-81-7 Y as salt: 134-03-2 Y
PubChem CID	54670067 as salt: 23667548
IUPHAR/BPS	4781
DrugBank	DB00126 Y as salt: DB14482 Y
ChemSpider	10189562 Y as salt: 16736174 Y
UNII	PQ6CK8PD0R as salt: S033EH8359 Y
KEGG	D00018 Y as salt: D05853 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:29073 Y as salt: CHEBI:113451 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL196 Y as salt: ChEMBL591665 Y
NIAID ChemDB	002072
PDB ligand	ASC (PDBe, RCSB PDB)
E number	E300 (antioxidants, ...)
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID5020106
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.061
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C6H8O6
Molar mass	176.124 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
Density	1.694 g/cm3
Melting point	190 to 192 °C (374 to 378 °F)
Boiling point	552.7 °C (1,026.9 °F) [5]
SMILES OC[C@H](O)[C@H]1OC(=O)C(O)=C1O
InChI InChI=1S/C6H8O6/c7-1-2(8)5-3(9)4(10)6(11)12-5/h2,5,7-10H,1H2/t2-,5+/m0/s1 Y Key:CIWBSHSKHKDKBQ-JLAZNSOCSA-N Y
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Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid and ascorbate) is a water-soluble vitamin found in citrus and other fruits, berries and vegetables. It is also a generic prescription medication and in some countries is sold as a non-prescription dietary supplement. As a therapy, it is used to prevent and treat scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient involved in the repair of tissue, the formation of collagen, and the enzymatic production of certain neurotransmitters. It is required for the functioning of several enzymes and is important for immune system function.^[6] It also functions as an antioxidant. Vitamin C may be taken by mouth or by intramuscular, subcutaneous or intravenous injection. Various health claims exist on the basis that moderate vitamin C deficiency increases disease risk, such as for the common cold, cancer or COVID-19.^{[clarification needed]} There are also claims of benefits from vitamin C supplementation in excess of the recommended dietary intake for people who are not considered vitamin C deficient.^{[clarification needed]} Vitamin C is generally well-tolerated. Large doses may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, headache, trouble sleeping, and flushing of the skin. The United States Institute of Medicine recommends against consuming large amounts.^{[7]: 155–165}

Most animals are able to synthesize their own vitamin C. However, apes (including humans) and monkeys (but not all primates), most bats, most fish, some rodents, and certain other animals must acquire it from dietary sources because a gene for a synthesis enzyme has mutations that render it dysfunctional.

Vitamin C was discovered in 1912, isolated in 1928, and in 1933, was the first vitamin to be chemically produced. Partly for its discovery, Albert Szent-Györgyi was awarded the 1937 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.