Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
O
O
OH
O
-
Na
+
N
HO
Na
+ -
O
N
O
O
Figure 8.12
The structure of disodium edetate.
decomposition chain reaction. They selflessly sacrifice themselves to
preserve the drug or medicine. Most antioxidants are phenols and two of
the most commonly used are shown in Figure 8.13.
OH
OH
(CH
3
)
3
C
C(CH
3
)
3
C(CH
3
)
3
CH
3
Butylated hydroxytoluene
OCH
3
Butylated hydroxyanisole
Figure 8.13
The structures of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated
hydroxyanisole (BHA).
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) also functions as an antioxidant and is
added to medicines and foodstuffs for this reason. Food manufacturers
enthusiastically label their products as having 'added vitamin C'. What they
are not so keen to tell you is that the vitamin is not there for the consumers'
benefit but rather as an antioxidant to stop their product decomposing
oxidatively (see Figure 8.14).
CH
2
OH
CH
2
OH
HCOH
HCOH
O
O
[O]
O
O
O
O
HO
OH
Figure 8.14
The structure of ascorbic acid, showing oxidation to diketone.
