Tags: Chemical Compound, Chemical Substance.
Ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties. It is a white solid but impure samples can appear yellowish. It dissolves well in water to give mildly acidic solutions. Ascorbic acid is one form (vitamer) of vitamin C. It was originally called L-hexuronic acid but when it was found to have vitamin C activity in animals (vitamin C being defined as a vitamin activity not then a specific substance) the suggestion was made to rename L-hexuronic acid.
