Folic Acid Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Vitamin B9, often known as folic acid, is commonly used to treat anaemia and folate deficiency. Natural folic acid may be found in avocados, mushrooms, green leaves, spinach, asparagus, yeast, eggs, and meat. Folic acid is required for the formation and maintenance of new cells, as well as the methylation of DNA and RNA.

What is Folic acid Formula?

Folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin that is essential for making new healthy cells. It is generally available in vitamin B supplements. 

It was first discovered by Lucy Wills while she was trying to find the cause of anaemia in 1928. It is important for the survival of humans and is needed by everyone especially among pregnant women as it is very important for both the mother and child to receive a sufficient amount of folic acid or it may lead to major birth defects in the brain or spine. 

C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆ is the chemical formula of folic acid. The molar mass of folic acid is 441.40 g mol^-1. The molecule of C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆ is made up of a long chain of 6 constituents, that also constitute of one aryl ring attached to a dihydropteridine ring. 

Sources of Folic Acid

It is mostly found in dark green leafy vegetable nuts etc. Fruits like orange lemons also include a great amount of folic acid. In 1998 folic acid was first added to the foods like cereals pasta cookies and has been continued till now. Folic acid helps to prevent and treat low blood levels of folate. It is used in many medications for depression, stroke, etc.

Sodium Folate is soluble in dilute solutions of alkali hydroxides and carbonates and solutions of folic acid are prepared with the help of sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate which leads to the formation of the soluble sodium salt of folic acid which is used to manufacture Supplements of folic acid.

Structure of Folic Acid

The molecular formula of folic acid is C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆ and the IUPAC name [(2S)-2-[[4-[(2-amino-4-oxo-1H-pteridine-6-yl) methylamino] benzoyl]amino] pentanedioic acid], whose structure is shown below.

Folic Acid

Properties of Folic Acid

• It appears like orange-yellow needles. and is odourless and tasteless.
• The melting point of folic acid is 482 F.
• It is insoluble in both polar and non-polar solvents.
• The aqueous solution of folic acid is very heat sensitive and it even decomposes rapidly in the presence of light.
• It is comparatively stable in alkaline solution.
• The pH with a water solution is 4-4.8 and 6.5-6.8 in a sodium bicarbonate solution, while the pKa value is 3.5.

Uses of Folic Acid

• It helps us prevent and treat low blood levels of folate and high blood level of homocysteine 
• It is very important for the health of pregnant women and their children.
• It helps prevent many birth defects in unborn babies.
• It is used to treat depression, stroke, and problems related to a decrease in memory.
• It is useful in producing and maintaining new cells, Prevents cancer and can be used to treat some kinds of anemia.

Sample Questions 

Question 1: What is the formula of folic acid?

Answer:

The molecular formula of folic acid is C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆.

Question 2: What is the IUPAC name of folic acid?

Answer:

The IUPAC name [(2S)-2-[[4-[(2-amino-4-oxo-1H-pteridine-6-yl) methylamino] benzoyl]amino] pentanedioic acid]  .

Question 3: List some uses of folic acid?

Answer:

• It helps us prevent and treat low blood levels of folate and high blood level of homocysteine 
• It is very important for the health of pregnant women and their children.
• It helps prevent many birth defects in unborn babies.
• It is used to treat depression, stroke, and problems related to a decrease in memory.
• It is useful in producing and maintaining new cells, Prevents cancer and can be used to treat some kinds of anemia.

Question 4: Who discovered folic acid?

Answer: 

It was discovered by Lucy Wills while she was trying to find the cause of anaemia in 1928.  

Question 5: Describe the physical state of folic acid?

Answer: 

It is orange-yellow needles or platelets. It is odour-less in nature. It is tasteless.

Question 6: Is folic acid soluble in water?

Answer: 

It is insoluble in both polar and non-polar solvents. The aqueous solution is very heat sensitive and decomposes rapidly in the presence of light. It is comparatively stable in alkaline solution .