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Erythritol

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Identification
Molecular formula
C4H10O4
CAS number
149-32-6
IUPAC name
butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol
State
State

At room temperature, Erythritol is in a solid state, typically found as a crystalline powder. It is stable and non-volatile under standard conditions.

Melting point (Celsius)
121.00
Melting point (Kelvin)
394.15
Boiling point (Celsius)
329.00
Boiling point (Kelvin)
602.15
General information
Molecular weight
122.12g/mol
Molar mass
122.1190g/mol
Density
1.4515g/cm3
Appearence

Erythritol appears as a white, crystalline powder that is odorless. It is highly soluble in water and has a sweet taste, making it commonly used as a sugar substitute.

Comment on solubility

Solubility of Butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol

Butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol, a tetraol compound, exhibits some interesting solubility characteristics that are largely influenced by its numerous hydroxyl groups. The presence of four hydroxyl (–OH) groups significantly enhances its ability to dissolve in polar solvents.

Key Points about Solubility:

  • Polar Solvents: Butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol is highly soluble in water due to the capability of its hydroxyl groups to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.
  • Nonpolar Solvents: In contrast, it has limited solubility in nonpolar solvents like hexane or benzene, as the polar nature of the molecule does not favor the interactions with these nonpolar solvents.
  • Viscosity: The solubility can also affect the viscosity of the solution, as increased concentrations of butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol in water can yield a more viscous liquid.
  • Temperature Effects: Temperature may play a role in its solubility; typically, an increase in temperature can enhance solubility in water.

These properties offer great potential for its applications, as the solubility profile of butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol makes it a valuable candidate in various fields, including pharmaceuticals and biochemical processes. Overall, understanding the solubility of this compound is key to leveraging its chemical behavior effectively.

Interesting facts

Exploring Butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol

Butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol is a fascinating organic compound that falls under the category of saturated alcohols. With four hydroxyl groups (-OH), it showcases intriguing structural properties that enhance its reactivity and interactions within various chemical environments.

Key Characteristics:

  • Functional Versatility: The presence of multiple hydroxyl groups allows butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol to engage in a variety of chemical reactions, making it a valuable compound in synthetic organic chemistry.
  • Biological Importance: Compounds with multiple alcohol functional groups can exhibit varying degrees of solubility and reactivity which could potentially lead to interesting biological activities and applications.
  • Industry Applications: As a tetrol, it could serve as a building block for the synthesis of more complex molecules in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and polymers.

Moreover, butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol has sparked interest due to its potential applications in the development of:

  • Green Chemistry: Utilizing such compounds can contribute to sustainable practices in chemical manufacturing.
  • Cosmetics: The moisturization properties of polyalcohols can lend to developments in skincare products.
  • Food Chemistry: Its safety profile and functional properties could be explored for flavor enhancing agents.

In summary, butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol illustrates how small modifications in a molecular structure can lead to significant changes in the behavior and applications of a compound. As we continue to delve deeper into the world of organic chemistry, compounds like this remind us of the wonders that lie in the interplay between structure and function.

Synonyms
Butane-1,2,3,4-tetrol
7541-59-5
Tetritol
Erythrol
dl-Threitol
butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol
6968-16-7
CHEBI:48299
Erythritol, meso-
1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroxybutane
DTXSID70859289
Erythrol (VAN)
DL-1,2,3,4-Butanetetrol
2(R),3(S)-1,2,3,4-Butanetetrol
1,2,3,4-Butanetetrol, [S-(R*,R*)]-
(2s,3s)-butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol
Lichen sugar
7493-90-5
EINECS 231-418-3
bmse000100
bmse000121
SCHEMBL36228
CHEMBL402812
DTXCID30209867
HMS3652N15
NSC20660
NSC-20660
STK368180
AKOS005445107
SB44744
SB44878
NCGC00248705-01
1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroxybutane, (R*,S*)-
NS00013656
1,2,3,4-Butanetetrol, (R*,R*)-(+/-)-
1,2,3,4-Butanetetrol, (R*,R*)-(A+/-)-
D172AE70-F62C-413D-A64B-686F547D8D77
231-418-3