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Pantothenic acid
Skeletal formula of (R)-pantothenic acid
Pantothenic acid molecule
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
3-[(2R)-2,4-Dihydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutanamido]propanoic acid
Systematic IUPAC name
3-[(2R)-(2,4-Dihydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutanoyl)amino]propanoic acid
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
3DMet B00193
1727062, 1727064 (R)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
ECHA InfoCard 100.009.061
EC Number 209-965-4
KEGG
MeSH Pantothenic+Acid
PubChem CID
RTECS number RU4729000
UNII
Properties
C9H17NO5
Molar mass 219.237 g·mol−1
Appearance Yellow oil
Colorless crystals (Ca2+ salt)
Odor Odorless
Density 1.266 g/cm3
1.32 g/cm3 (Ca2+ salt)
Melting point 183.833 °C (362.899 °F; 456.983 K)
196–200 °C (385–392 °F; 469–473 K)
decomposes (Ca2+ salt)
138 °C (280 °F; 411 K)
decomposes (Ca2+ salt, monohydrate)
Very soluble
2.11 g/mL (Ca2+ salt)
Solubility Very soluble in C6H6, ether
Ca2+ salt:
Slightly soluble in alcohol, CHCl3
log P −1.416
Acidity (pKa) 4.41
Basicity (pKb) 9.698
+37.5°
+24.3° (Ca2+ salt)
Hazards
NFPA 704
Flammability code 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g., canola oilHealth code 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g., chloroformReactivity code 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g., liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no codeNFPA 704 four-colored diamond
1
2
0
Flash point 287.3 °C (549.1 °F; 560.5 K)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)
> 10 mg/g (Ca2+ salt)
Related compounds
Related alkanoic acids
Arginine
Hopantenic acid
4-(γ-Glutamylamino)butanoic acid
Related compounds
Panthenol
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5 (a B vitamin), is a water-soluble vitamin. Pantothenic acid is an essential nutrient. Animals require pantothenic acid in order to synthesize coenzyme-A (CoA), as well as to synthesize and metabolize proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The anion is called pantothenate.

Pantothenic acid is the amide between pantoic acid and β-alanine. Its name derives from the Greek pantothen, meaning "from everywhere", and small quantities of pantothenic acid are found in nearly every food, with high amounts in fortified whole-grain cereals, egg yolks, liver and dried mushrooms. It is commonly found as its alcohol analog, the provitamin panthenol (pantothenol), and as calcium pantothenate.

Pantothenic acid was discovered by Roger J. Williams in 1933.

Biological role