Beta-carotene
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Beta-carotene
IUPAC name	1,3,3-trimethyl-2-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E, 13E,15E,17E)-3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-18-(2, 6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexenyl)-octadeca- 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaenyl]cyclohexene
Identifiers
CAS number	[7235-40-7]
PubChem	5280489
SMILES	CC1=C(C(CCC1)(C)C)C=CC(=CC=CC(=CC=CC=C (C)C=CC=C(C)C=CC2=C(CCCC2(C)C)C)C)C
Properties
Molecular formula	C40H56
Molar mass	536.873
Appearance	red-purple
Density	0.941 ± 0.06 g/cm3
Melting point	180-182
Solubility in water	insol in water, sol. in CHCl3
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Beta-carotene is an organic compound and a terpenoid. As a carotene with β-rings at both ends, it is the most common form of carotene. It is a precursor (inactive form) of Vitamin A.^[1] Being highly conjugated, it is deeply colored, and as a hydrocarbon lacking fuctional groups, it is very lipophilic.

The structure was deduced by Karrer et al.^[2] In nature, β-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A via the action of β-carotene dioxygenase. β-carotene is also the substance in carrots that colours them orange. β-Carotenoid is biosynthesized from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Susan D. Van Arnum (1998). "Vitamin A in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology" (45): 99–107. New York: John Wiley. doi:10.1002/0471238961.2209200101181421.a01. 
2. ^ P. Karrer, A. Helfenstein, H. Wehrli, A. Wettstein (1930). "Pflanzenfarbstoffe XXV. Über die Konstitution des Lycopins und Carotins". Helvetica Chimica Acta 13: 1084–1099. doi:10.1002/hlca.19300130532. 

External links

• A11CA02

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