Lactic acid

Lactic acid (α-hydroxypropionic acid) is a chemical compound that plays a role in several biochemical processes.

Related Topics:
Chemical compound - Biochemical

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Lactate is its ionic equivalent.

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Lactic acid is a carboxylic acid with a chemical formula of C3H6O3. Its structure is reflected in its systematic name, 2-hydroxypropanoic acid. In solution, it can lose a proton from the COOH carboxy group, turning into the lactate ion CH3CHOHCOO-.

Related Topics:
Carboxylic acid - Chemical formula - C - H - O - Hydroxy - Propan - Proton - Carboxy group - Ion

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There are two optical isomers of lactic acid (and of lactate) since the central carbon atom is bound to four different groups. The first isomer is known as L(+)-lactic acid or (S)-lactic acid and the second is D(-)-lactic acid or (R)-lactic acid.

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The CAS number of lactic acid is 50-21-5. To distinguish between the optical isomers, one can use CAS 79-33-4 for L-lactic acid and CAS 10326-41-7 for D-lactic acid and CAS 598-82-3 for an optically inactive mixture of the two.

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