Vitamin C Molecule in 3D: C₆H₈O₆ Structure and Facts
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a vitamin we must get from food. It helps the body make collagen and protects cells as an antioxidant. In Molecule Studio you can spin the vitamin c molecule, zoom in on each atom and measure its bonds.
Explore in 3DVitamin C quick facts
| Chemical formula | C₆H₈O₆ |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 176.12 g/mol |
| Atoms in one molecule | 20 |
| Shape | Five-membered ring |
| Group | Food |
What is vitamin c used for?
- Keeping skin, gums and blood vessels healthy
- Antioxidant in food
- Food preservative
Interesting facts about vitamin c
- People cannot make vitamin C, so we need it from food.
- A lack of vitamin C causes scurvy.
- Citrus fruits, peppers and kiwis are good sources.
- It is easily destroyed by heat.
What you can do in 3D
Turn the molecule to see it from every side, switch between ball and stick, space filling and wire views, and tap atoms to measure bond lengths and angles.
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Vitamin C questions
What is the formula of vitamin C?
C6H8O6.
What is the chemical name for vitamin C?
Ascorbic acid.
What happens without vitamin C?
A long lack causes scurvy, with bleeding gums and slow healing.
Which foods have vitamin C?
Citrus fruits, peppers, kiwis, strawberries and broccoli.
Molecule Studio is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up. In the tool, molecules load from the built-in library or from PubChem.