Gluconic acid
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Gluconic acid is the carboxylic acid formed by the oxidation of the first carbon of glucose and has the chemical formula C6H12O7. When dissolved in water, it forms the gluconate ion C6H11O7−; the salts of gluconic acid are also known as gluconates.
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[edit] Chemical structure
The chemical structure of gluconic acid consists of a six-carbon chain with five hydroxyl groups terminating in a carboxyl group. This latter group can lose a hydrogen ion and thus turns the molecule into an acid. The IUPAC name of gluconic acid is 2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanoic acid.
In aequous solution, some gluconic acid molecules will convert to the cyclic ester Glucono delta lactone, and the two exist in equilibrium.
[edit] Uses
Gluconic acid occurs naturally in fruit, honey and wine and is used as a food additive, an acidity regulator. It is also used in cleaning products where it helps cleaning up mineral deposits. It is a strong chelating agent, especially in alkaline solution. It chelates the cations of calcium, iron, aluminium, copper, and other heavy metals. The molar mass of gluconic acid is 196gr/mol .
[edit] Numbers
- E number: E574
- CAS Number 526-95-4
