Alpha lipoic acid
Alpha lipoic acid is a widely used ingredient in cosmetics, personal care, and skincare formulations. Depending on its function, it may serve as a moisturizer, preservative, emulsifier, or active ingredient to enhance the overall effectiveness and performance of a product.
Lipoic acid (LA), also known as α-lipoic acid, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and thioctic acid, is an organosulfur compound derived from caprylic acid (octanoic acid). ALA, which is made in animals normally, is essential for aerobic metabolism. It is also available as a dietary supplement or pharmaceutical drug in some countries. Lipoate is the conjugate base of lipoic acid, and the most prevalent form of LA under physiological conditions. Only the (R)-(+)-enantiomer (RLA) exists in nature. RLA is an essential cofactor of many processes.
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| Names | |
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| IUPAC name
(R)-5-(1,2-Dithiolan-3-yl)pentanoic acid
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| Other names
α-Lipoic acid; Alpha lipoic acid; Thioctic acid; 6,8-Dithiooctanoic acid
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| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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| 81851 | |
| ChEBI | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider | |
| DrugBank | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.012.793 |
| EC Number |
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| KEGG | |
| MeSH | Lipoic+acid |
PubChem CID
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| UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |
| C8H14O2S2 | |
| Molar mass | 206.32 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Yellow needle-like crystals |
| Melting point | 60–62 °C (140–144 °F; 333–335 K) |
| Very Slightly Soluble(0.24 g/L) | |
| Solubility in ethanol 50 mg/mL | Soluble |
| Pharmacology | |
| A16AX01 (WHO) | |
| Pharmacokinetics: | |
| 30% (oral) | |
| Related compounds | |
Related compounds
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Lipoamide Asparagusic acid |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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