CAS No 7235-40-7 , 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-3,7,12,
16-tetramethyl-18-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)octadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,
13,15,17-nonaenyl]cyclohexene

Title: b-Carotene
CAS Registry Number: 7235-40-7
CAS Name: b,b-Carotene
Trademarks: Carotaben (Hermal); Provatene (Microbio); Solatene (Roche)
Molecular Formula: C40H56
Molecular Weight: 536.87
Percent Composition: C 89.49%, H 10.51%
Literature References: Most important of the provitamins A. Widely distributed in the plant and animal kingdom. In plants it occurs almost always together with chlorophyll. Isoln from carrots: Willst?tter, Escher, Z. Physiol. Chem. 64, 47 (1910); Kuhn, Lederer, Ber. 64, 1349 (1931); Barnett et al., US 2848508 (1958). Chromatography: Karrer, Walker, Helv. Chim. Acta 16, 641 (1933). Structure: Willst?tter, Mieg, Ann. 355, 1 (1907); Zechmeister et al., Ber. 61, 566 (1928); 66, 123 (1933); Karrer et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 12, 1142 (1929); 13, 1084 (1930); 14, 1033 (1931); Kuhn, Brockmann, Ber. 65, 894 (1932); 66, 1319 (1933); 67, 1408 (1934); Ann. 516, 95 (1935). Crystal structure: Sterling, Acta Crystallogr. 17, 1224 (1964). Synthesis: Milas et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 72, 4844 (1950); Karrer, Eugster, Compt. Rend. 250, 1920 (1950); Inhoffen et al., Chem. Ztg. 74, 285, 309 (1950); Surmatis, Ofner, J. Org. Chem. 26, 1171 (1961); Rüegg et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 44, 985 (1961); Bestmann et al., Ann. 1973, 760; Fischli, Mayer, Helv. Chim. Acta 58, 1584 (1975). Industrial mfg procedure: Isler et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 39, 249 (1956); Isler et al., US 2917539 (1959 to Hoffmann-La Roche). Microbial production by Choanephora trispora: Zajic, US 2959521; US 2959522 and US 3128236 (1960, 1960 and 1964, all to Grain Processing); Miescher, US 3001912 (1961 to C.S.C.). Review: Fleming, Selected Organic Syntheses (John Wiley, London, 1973) pp 70-74.
Properties: Deep-purple, hexagonal prisms from benzene + methanol. Red, rhombic, almost square leaflets from petr ether. mp 183° (evacuated tube). Absorption max (chloroform): 497, 466 nm. Less sol than a-carotene. Sol in CS2, benzene, chloroform. Moderately sol in ether, petr ether, oils. 100 ml hexane dissolve 109 mg at 0°. Very sparingly sol in methanol and ethanol. Practically insol in water, acids, alkalies. Dil solns are yellow. Absorbs oxygen from the air giving rise to inactive, colorless oxidation products. Keep tightly closed and protected from light. Store at low temp (-20°C). Commercial crystalline b-carotene has a vitamin A activity of 1.67 million U.S.P. units per gram. The I.U. of 0.6 mg b-carotene is almost exactly equivalent to 0.3 mg vitamin A.
Melting point: mp 183° (evacuated tube)
Absorption maximum: Absorption max (chloroform): 497, 466 nm
Use: Yellow coloring agent for foods.
Therap-Cat: Vitamin A precursor. Ultraviolet screen.
Therap-Cat-Vet: Vitamin A precursor for all species except cats.
Keywords: Ultraviolet Screen; Vitamin/Vitamin Source; Vitamin A.