sorbitol C6H14O6 (sugar substitute and mild laxative)
Pharmaceutical Materials 2025-03-02
Chemical Name: Sorbitol
Molecular Formula: C6H14O6
Molecular Weight: 182.17 g/mol
Appearance: White crystalline powder or syrup
Sweetness: About half as sweet as sucrose
Usage: As a sugar substitute in food and as a mild laxative in medicine.
Sorbitol, with the chemical formula C6H14O6, is a sugar alcohol commonly used as a sugar substitute due to its approximately half the sweetness of sucrose. It occurs naturally in some fruits and berries but is also produced industrially from glucose. Sorbitol has various applications, including use as a sweetener in diabetes-friendly foods, a humectant in cosmetics and tobacco products, and as a bulking agent in pharmaceuticals. Additionally, it exhibits mild laxative properties, making it useful in some medical treatments. However, excessive consumption may lead to digestive discomfort.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | C6H14O6 |
| CAS Number | 50-70-4 |
| Physical Properties | – |
| Appearance | Clear to pale yellow syrupy liquid or white crystalline powder |
| Density | 1.489 g/cm³ (20°C) |
| Melting Point | 98-100 °C (lit.) |
| Boiling Point | 494.9 °C at 760 mmHg |
| Refractive Index | 1.597 or 1.3477 (10% aqueous solution) |
| Chemical Properties | – |
| Solubility | Soluble in water, glycerol, propylene glycol, acetone, acetic acid, and hot methanol; slightly soluble in ethanol and phenol; insoluble in ethers, higher alcohols, ketones, and hydrocarbons |
| Sweetness | Approximately half that of sucrose |
| Caloric Value | Similar to sucrose |
| Physiological Effect | Mild laxative |
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