Names | |
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IUPAC name
(R)-5-(1,2-Dithiolan-3-yl)pentanoic acid
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Other names
α-Lipoic acid; Alpha lipoic acid; Thioctic acid; 6,8-Dithiooctanoic acid
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Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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81851 | |
ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
DrugBank | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.012.793 |
EC Number |
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KEGG | |
MeSH | Lipoic+acid |
PubChem CID
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UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C8H14O2S2 | |
Molar mass | 206.32 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | Yellow needle-like crystals |
Melting point | 60–62 °C (140–144 °F; 333–335 K) |
Very Slightly Soluble(0.24 g/L)[1] | |
Solubility in ethanol 50 mg/mL | Soluble |
Pharmacology | |
A16AX01 (WHO) | |
Pharmacokinetics: | |
30% (oral)[2] | |
Related compounds | |
Related compounds
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Lipoamide Asparagusic acid |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Lipoic acid (LA), also known as α-lipoic acid, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and thioctic acid, is an organosulfur compound derived from caprylic acid (octanoic acid).[3] ALA, which is made in animals normally, is essential for aerobic metabolism. It is also available as a dietary supplement or pharmaceutical drug in some countries. Lipoate is the conjugate base of lipoic acid, and the most prevalent form of LA under physiological conditions.[3] Only the (R)-(+)-enantiomer (RLA) exists in nature. RLA is an essential cofactor of many processes.[3]