Overview

Pyridoxine (peer-ih-DOCK-seen) is also known as 3-Hydroxy-4,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpyridine; 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethylol-2-methylpyridine; and vitamin B₆. It is a white, odorless, crystalline compound with a slightly bitter taste. The term pyridoxine is also used as a generic term for three compounds with biological activity classified under the term Vitamin B₆. The three compounds are pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. Pyridoxine is usually produced commercially as the hydrochloride, CH₃C₅HN(OH)(CH₂OH)₂·;HCl, which has somewhat different physical characteristics from pyridoxine itself.

Key Facts

Other Names:

See Overview.

Formula:

CH₃C₅HN(OH)(-CH₂OH)₂

Elements:

Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen

Compound Type:

Organic

State:

Solid

Molecular Weight:

169.18 g/mol

Melting Point:

159°C-162°C (318°F-324°F)

Boiling Point:

Not applicable; sublimes above melting point

Solubility:

Very soluble in water; slightly soluble in ethyl alcohol and acetone

Vitamin B₆ was discovered in 1938 by five groups of researchers working...