Calcium L-ascorbate dihydrate, commonly called vitamin C calcium salt, is a biologically important antioxidant and a required coenzyme for various hydroxylation reactions and for collagen synthesis. A physiological antioxidant and coenzyme.
This compound belongs to the class of organic compounds known as butenolides. These are dihydrofurans with a carbonyl group at the C2 carbon atom.
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1. Djoumbou Feunang Y, Eisner R, Knox C, Chepelev L, Hastings J, Owen G, Fahy E, Steinbeck C, Subramanian S, Bolton E, Greiner R, and Wishart DS. ClassyFire: Automated Chemical Classification With A Comprehensive, Computable Taxonomy. Journal of Cheminformatics, 2016, 8:61.
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Application Protocols
No tested application protocols (e.g., WB, IHC, IF, FC, kit procedures) are provided in the Product Data. Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
General literature guidance for preparing working solutions (for research planning only):
Stock solution preparation:
Concentration: 100–500 mM in water is common for lab stocks, subject to solubility; prepare fresh or aliquot and freeze to minimize oxidation.
Procedure: Dissolve the weighed solid in chilled, degassed water with gentle stirring. Optionally include 0.1–1 mM EDTA if trace metals catalyze oxidation and if Ca2+ chelation is acceptable for your application.
Filtration: 0.22 µm if sterility/clarity is required.
Use in CuAAC/bioconjugation:
Add as the last component to activate Cu(II) to Cu(I); typical final ascorbate 1–10 mM.
Use as antioxidant in protein work:
Include 0.1–2 mM to maintain reduced metal centers or quench ROS; confirm protein compatibility.
Always verify concentration, pH, and compatibility with your specific system. For critical work, develop and document a lab-specific SOP.
Biological Roles
General biochemistry context (literature; not product-specific, no medical claims):
Ascorbate (vitamin C) is a ubiquitous biological reductant and cofactor. In cells, the ascorbate/dehydroascorbate couple participates in redox homeostasis and scavenging of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species.
Enzymatic cofactor activity: Donates electrons to Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate–dependent dioxygenases (e.g., prolyl and lysyl hydroxylases for collagen maturation; TET family DNA dioxygenases), maintaining the catalytic metal in a reduced state.
Metal redox chemistry: Reduces Fe3+ to Fe2+ and Cu2+ to Cu+, influencing labile metal pools and Fenton-type chemistry in vitro.
Transport and form: Calcium L-ascorbate dissociates in aqueous environments to Ca2+ and L-ascorbate; biological effects arise from the ascorbate anion, while Ca2+ contributes to ionic balance and can engage Ca-dependent processes in vitro.
In vitro research uses: Supplementation in cell culture to study collagen synthesis, antioxidant defenses, HIF pathway regulation (via prolyl hydroxylases), and epigenetic demethylation mechanisms mediated by Fe(II)/2-OG enzymes.
Important notes:
Roles described are for biochemical understanding. This product is supplied for research use only.
When introducing Ca2+ with ascorbate, consider buffer composition (e.g., phosphate may precipitate Ca2+; chelators may sequester it), which can influence experimental readouts.
Buffer Applications
Calcium L-ascorbate dihydrate is not a conventional buffer component with a defined pKa pair used to maintain pH over a narrow range. However, it is frequently included in aqueous buffers as an antioxidant/reductant (literature).
Practical guidance (research use):
Antioxidant additive: 0.1–10 mM ascorbate is commonly used to maintain reducing conditions in enzyme assays, metalloprotein handling, and oxygen-sensitive fluorescence measurements. Concentration depends on oxidant load and assay tolerance (literature guidance).
Compatibility:
Avoid high concentrations of phosphate with millimolar Ca2+ to prevent precipitation of calcium phosphate; use HEPES, MOPS, Tris, or Good’s buffers when Ca2+ is required.
If Ca2+ is undesirable, consider sodium ascorbate to preserve buffer composition.
Include minimal EDTA/EGTA only if necessary; these will chelate Ca2+ and modify free calcium levels.
Preparation tips:
Dissolve in freshly degassed, chilled water; adjust pH with minimal base if needed (solutions are often mildly acidic to near-neutral).
Filter sterilize through 0.22 µm for tissue culture workflows; prepare aliquots to limit repeated air exposure.
Protect solutions from light and store cold short-term; replace frequently due to oxidative degradation.
Note: Buffer recipes and concentrations above are literature guidance, provided for planning purposes. Validate conditions for your specific system.
Green Alternatives
Calcium L-ascorbate dihydrate is itself a comparatively benign, water-compatible reagent that supports greener chemistry by enabling aqueous, room-temperature processes with minimal volatile organic solvents.
Comparison of common ascorbate sources (literature):
Calcium L-ascorbate dihydrate
Advantages: Low toxicity profile; divalent counterion (reduced sodium load); effective in water; lower acidity than L-ascorbic acid; enables metal reductions under mild conditions.
Trade-offs: Solubility and ionic strength behavior differ from sodium ascorbate; calcium can interact with phosphate/chelators or trigger precipitation in certain buffers.
Sodium ascorbate
Advantages: Very high water solubility; widely documented for CuAAC and bioconjugation; predictable behavior in many buffers.
Trade-offs: Adds Na+; may be undesirable in sodium-sensitive formulations.
L-ascorbic acid
Advantages: No added metal cation; strong reducing power; food-grade supply chains common (general market information).
Trade-offs: Lower pH; may not be suitable when near-neutral pH is required.
Greener practice recommendations:
Use water as primary solvent; avoid halogenated solvents.
Operate at ambient temperature/pressure where possible.
Prepare only the amount of solution needed to minimize waste from oxidative degradation.
For nanoparticle synthesis or catalyst activation, replace harsher reductants (e.g., borohydride) with ascorbate when compatible with performance requirements.
Pharmaceutical Uses
No item-specific pharmacopeial status or compliance claims are provided in the Product Data. Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
General formulation context (literature; no therapeutic claims):
Role as antioxidant excipient: Ascorbate salts are used in research and development formulations to inhibit oxidative degradation of sensitive drug substances (e.g., phenolic APIs, metal-catalyzed oxidation pathways) in aqueous solutions and lyophilized products.
pH and counterion considerations: Calcium ascorbate offers reduced acidity compared with L-ascorbic acid and avoids sodium loading; Ca2+ can influence osmolality, ionic strength, and compatibility with phosphate buffers (risk of precipitation).
Parenteral/oral prototype development: In preclinical formulation screening, ascorbate may be evaluated as a stabilizer, oxygen scavenger, or co-antioxidant with sulfites/EDTA, balancing efficacy against color formation and potential metal-catalyzed side reactions.
Analytical implications: Ascorbate’s reducing nature can interfere with peroxide-based assays and certain redox indicators; analytical methods should account for ascorbate during stability studies (e.g., derivatization, orthogonal detection).
Important note: This catalog item is supplied for research use only and is not intended for human or animal therapeutic use. Any GMP/pharmacopeial suitability must be verified independently for the specific application.
Physical Properties
Item-specific physicochemical specifications (bp, mp, density, UV cutoff, water/peroxide/metal content) are not provided in the Product Data. Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Literature/general properties (for reference only; not specifications):
Physical state: White to off-white crystalline solid; dihydrate (literature).
Thermal behavior: Typically decomposes rather than exhibiting a sharp melt, with browning on heating due to ascorbate oxidation/decomposition (literature).
Solubility: Highly soluble in water; insoluble or sparingly soluble in nonpolar organic solvents (literature). Aqueous solutions are mildly acidic to near-neutral depending on concentration and dissolved CO2.
pH of solutions: A 1–10% w/v aqueous solution generally shows pH in a moderately acidic to near-neutral range, less acidic than solutions of L-ascorbic acid due to partial neutralization by Ca2+ (literature).
Partitioning: Effectively non-volatile and strongly hydrophilic/ionic; logP not meaningful for the salt (literature).
Hygroscopicity: Hydrated solid; may absorb additional moisture depending on ambient humidity (literature).
Practical notes for users (general):
Prepare aqueous solutions with deoxygenated, metal-ion–controlled water if oxidation must be minimized.
Minimize exposure to heat, light, and air to preserve reducing capacity; include chelators (e.g., EDTA) if trace metals catalyze oxidation in your system (literature guidance).
Quality and Grades
Item-specific grade/purity and stabilizer information are not provided in the Product Data. Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
General guidance on quality considerations for calcium L-ascorbate dihydrate:
Assay and identity: High-purity material is typically assessed by titrimetric/iodometric assay for ascorbate content, moisture determination (for hydrate level), and ion chromatography or ICP-OES for counterion/metals (literature practices).
Moisture/hydration: The dihydrate stoichiometry is important for accurate molarity and mass balance. Karl Fischer or thermogravimetry is often used to verify water content (literature).
Particle size/flow: For reproducible dissolution and dosing, particle size distribution may be controlled; note that fine powders can dust.
Stabilizers: Ascorbate salts generally do not require added stabilizers when stored properly; antioxidants/chelators may be included in formulated solutions to mitigate oxidation. Any stabilizer present should be declared on the CoA/spec (item-specific).
Low-UV/LC uses: If intended for chromatographic sample prep, "HPLC" or low-UV grades emphasize low background absorbance and particulates; absent such designation, validate for your analytical method.
Bioresearch uses: For cell culture or biochemical assays, endotoxin, bioburden, and trace metal specifications may be relevant. Confirm suitability with the lot-specific CoA before critical experiments.
Reaction and Applications
This material serves primarily as a water-compatible reducing agent and antioxidant in research settings.
Key application families (literature-based):
Reducing agent in aqueous chemistry: Efficiently reduces metal ions (e.g., Fe3+ to Fe2+), nitroxyl radicals, and reactive oxygen species; widely used to quench oxidants and maintain reduced states in biomolecule handling.
Catalyst activation: Ascorbate reduces Cu(II) to catalytically active Cu(I) in copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). While sodium ascorbate is most common, calcium ascorbate can function analogously when Na+ is undesirable; adjust stoichiometry based on equivalent ascorbate content.
Nanomaterials synthesis: Mild reductant for preparing metal nanoparticles (e.g., Au, Ag) in aqueous media, enabling size control with appropriate capping ligands.
Polymer chemistry: Component in redox-initiated polymerizations (e.g., with persulfates) to generate radicals at ambient temperature in water-rich systems.
Antioxidant protection: Stabilizes oxygen-sensitive substrates (e.g., phenols, catechols, heme proteins, enzymes) during purification and storage by scavenging dissolved oxygen and radicals.
Practical tips:
Work under nitrogen/argon and use freshly prepared solutions to maximize reducing capacity.
Control pH (typically pH 6–8) to balance ascorbate stability and substrate compatibility.
Monitor reaction progress spectroscopically when possible (e.g., disappearance of oxidant, metal-ligand charge transfer), as ascorbate itself absorbs weakly in the UV.
Reaction Conditions
The following are general literature conditions for common ascorbate-enabled processes (guidance only; optimize for your system):
Catalyst precursor: CuSO4 or Cu(OAc)2 (0.1–5 mol%).
Reductant: Ascorbate 1–10 mM to generate Cu(I) in situ; adjust amount based on copper load and oxygen content. Calcium ascorbate can substitute sodium ascorbate on an equimolar ascorbate basis.
Temperature: RT to 37 °C; time: minutes to hours; typically high conversions.
Gold/silver nanoparticle synthesis:
Solvent: Water; capping agents (citrate, PVP) as required.
Reductant: Ascorbate 0.1–5 mM with metal precursors (e.g., HAuCl4, AgNO3) 0.05–1 mM.
Conditions: RT; rapid color change indicates nucleation/growth; oxygen control affects size distribution.
Redox initiation for polymerization (e.g., acrylamide gels):
Ascorbate: 0.1–5 mM to modulate radical flux at ambient temperature.
Antioxidant quenching in biochemical assays:
Buffer: HEPES/Tris, pH 7–8; include minimal EDTA if Ca2+ must be controlled.
Ascorbate: 0.1–5 mM, freshly prepared; protect from light.
Notes:
Oxygen competes for reducing equivalents; degassing increases efficiency.
Transition metals catalyze ascorbate oxidation; use chelators judiciously given Ca2+ content.
Monitor pH drifts; maintain near neutral for maximal stability (literature).
Safety and Handling
GHS/SDS details specific to this catalog item are not provided in the Product Data. Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet and the official SDS for authoritative hazard, classification, and first-aid guidance.
General laboratory safety considerations for calcium L-ascorbate dihydrate (literature-based):
Likely low acute toxicity profile typical of many organic salts; may cause mechanical/irritant effects to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract as dust. Avoid inhalation and contact.
PPE: Safety glasses, lab coat, appropriate gloves (e.g., nitrile). Use a dust mask/respirator if handling fine powders in bulk or generating aerosols.
Handling: Work in a clean, dry area. Prevent dust formation. Protect from light and excessive heat to limit oxidative degradation.
Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers (the material is a reducing agent), strong bases/acids may catalyze degradation; transition metal salts can accelerate oxidation of ascorbate to dehydroascorbate.
First aid (overview; consult SDS):
Inhalation: Move to fresh air; seek medical advice if irritation persists.
Skin: Wash with soap and water; remove contaminated clothing.
Eyes: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; seek medical attention if irritation continues.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth; seek advice if large amounts are ingested.
Environmental: Low expected environmental hazard at laboratory scales; avoid unnecessary release. Dispose according to institutional and local regulations.
Solvent Selection
As an ionic, highly polar calcium salt, calcium L-ascorbate dihydrate is optimized for aqueous media.
Polarity/miscibility (literature):
Water: Freely soluble; dissolution is rapid with stirring.
Alcohols (MeOH, EtOH): Limited to moderate solubility depending on water content; hygroscopic mixtures increase solubility.
Dielectric considerations: Aqueous solutions (ε ~80 at 25 °C) best stabilize the ionic species. Mixed aqueous-organic systems (e.g., water/MeOH) can be used to tune solubility and viscosity.
When to choose this salt:
When a near-neutral ascorbate source is desired (reduced acidity vs L-ascorbic acid) and sodium/potassium ions are undesirable (replacing Na+/K+ with Ca2+).
In systems sensitive to ionic strength where divalent counterions may be advantageous.
Alternatives (literature):
L-ascorbic acid: Higher acidity; similar reducing power; fully protonated form.
Sodium ascorbate: Highly water-soluble; commonly used as a reducing agent in CuAAC and related applications.
Potassium/magnesium ascorbate: Similar profiles with different counterions for compatibility.
Practical tips:
Use freshly prepared aqueous solutions; deoxygenate and cool if minimizing oxidation.
Include chelators (e.g., 0.1–1 mM EDTA) if trace metals accelerate degradation in your matrix.
Filter (0.22–0.45 µm) if particulate-free solutions are required for analytical or biological assays.
Storage and Reconstitution
Item-specific storage from Product Data:
Storage Conditions (solid): Room temperature.
Shipped In: Normal.
General storage guidance (literature; complementing Product Data):
Keep container tightly closed in a cool, dry place; protect from light and sources of heat to limit oxidative degradation. Avoid prolonged exposure to air and humidity.
Because this is a dihydrate, maintain the cap tightly sealed to preserve hydration state and assay consistency.
Reconstitution and solution stability (literature guidance; not specifications):
Solvent: Use deionized, degassed water. For sensitive applications, purge with nitrogen/argon.
Concentration: Prepare only what is needed for immediate use when possible; ascorbate solutions oxidize over time (faster at higher pH, higher temperature, and in the presence of trace metals).
Storage of solutions: If necessary, aliquot and store at 2–8 °C protected from light; use within hours to a few days depending on application. Discard if discoloration (yellow/brown) or precipitation occurs.
Freeze–thaw: Minimize repeated freeze–thaw cycles; small frozen aliquots can extend usable life, but verify performance after thawing.
Research Use Note: For research use only.
Structure and Identity
Calcium L-ascorbate dihydrate is the calcium salt of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), isolated as a dihydrate. It is an ionic, organic calcium salt comprised of one Ca2+ cation and two L-ascorbate anions, with two waters of crystallization.
Item-specific identifiers from Product Data:
CAS: 5743-28-2
CID: 54682536
InChIKey: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
SMILES: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Literature/computed identity (for reference only; not item-specific specifications):
Common name: Calcium L-ascorbate dihydrate
Formal stoichiometry: Ca2+[(C6H7O6)−]2 · 2H2O
Empirical formula (dihydrate): C12H18CaO14 (literature)
Formula mass (dihydrate): ~426.3 g/mol (literature)
Structural features (general chemistry description):
Each L-ascorbate anion is derived from L-ascorbic acid and retains the enediol/lactone-derived 2,3-enediolate motif responsible for strong reducing/antioxidant behavior.
The Ca2+ counterion is chelated/ion-paired by oxygen donors of two ascorbate anions; the solid is best viewed as an ionic lattice stabilized by multiple O–Ca interactions and hydrogen-bonded waters of crystallization.
2D description (words): a central Ca2+ cation associated with two negatively charged ascorbate rings (five-membered lactone-derived rings bearing multiple hydroxyls), plus two lattice waters engaging in hydrogen bonding to the polyhydroxy framework.
Synthetic Utility
Calcium L-ascorbate dihydrate functions as a benign, water-compatible reductant and radical scavenger, enabling transformations under mild, green conditions (literature-based).
Representative utilities:
Reductive activation of copper catalysts: Generates Cu(I) in situ from Cu(II) salts for CuAAC and related click transformations in aqueous or mixed media where Na+ is undesirable.
Metal-mediated transformations: Reduces Fe(III) to Fe(II) to initiate Fenton-type hydroxyl radical generation (analytical/degradation studies) or to maintain low-valent states in model systems.
Nanoparticle synthesis: Serves as a controlled reductant for Au/Ag nanoparticle growth at ambient temperature, often yielding narrow size distributions with appropriate stabilizers.
Polymer/gel initiation: Participates in redox initiation systems (e.g., with persulfate or peroxide) to crosslink hydrogels or initiate acrylate polymerizations in water.
Protecting sensitive functionalities: Mitigates oxidative side reactions during isolation/purification of phenols, catechols, and thiols by scavenging dissolved oxygen and radicals.
Practical considerations:
Use stoichiometric or slight excess relative to oxidant; titrate to minimize over-reduction or color formation.
Maintain pH near neutral for stability; alkaline conditions accelerate ascorbate degradation, potentially yielding colored byproducts.
Calcium interactions: Account for potential precipitation or coordination with phosphate and carboxylate-rich matrices; switch to sodium ascorbate if Ca2+ is incompatible with the system.
Target Specificity
Not applicable. This product is a small-molecule salt, not a biological targeting reagent (e.g., antibody, ligand probe, or enzyme substrate with specific protein selectivity). No target specificity information is provided in the Product Data.
Perguntas frequentes
What is the purity of this product?
This product is supplied at ≥99% purity (chemical assay). Lot-specific values are stated on the Certificate of Analysis.
How should this product be stored?
Store at room temperature.
How is this product shipped?
This product ships under standard ambient conditions. No temperature-controlled packaging is required.
What are the CAS number, molecular formula and molecular weight?
The CAS Number is 5743-28-2, the molecular formula is C12H14CaO12·2H2O, and the molecular weight is 426.34 g/mol. InChIKey RGJHWLDSRIHFKY-FWCDDDAWSA-L.
What documentation is provided?
Available product documentation, including Certificates of Analysis (COA), Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and specification sheets, is shown in the product document area. Document availability and access follow the current site policy.
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