Science, Tech, Math › Science Vitamin Chemical Structures Share Flipboard Email Print Vitamins are essential nutrient which must be obtained through the diet. Seksak Kerdkanno / EyeEm / Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated November 05, 2019 Vitamins are organic molecules essential for proper metabolism that must be obtained from the diet. In some cases, an organism may be able to synthesize a small quantity of a vitamin, but in order to qualify as a vitamin, synthesis cannot fully meet metabolic needs. So, a substance that is a vitamin in one species may not be a vitamin in others. Further, a vitamin is not an essential amino acid, an essential fatty acid, or a mineral. Most vitamins exist in multiple forms called vitamers. For example, there are at least eight forms of vitamin E, including four tocotrienols and four tocopherols. The human body requires thirteen vitamins for metabolism: vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B7 (biotin), vitamin B9 (folate or folic acid), vitamin B12 (cobalamin), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin D (calciferol), vitamin E (tocopherol or tocotrienol), and vitamin K (quinone). Several other vitamins have been proposed. Either they have been reclassified (usually as a B vitamin) or they turned out to be either nonessential or else synthesized in sufficient amounts by the body. The reason vitamin names jump from E to K is because of this reclassification. Vitamin A (Retinol) Chemical Structure Chemical structure of Vitamin A or Retinol. Vitamin A regulates cell and tissue differentiation and growth. It is toxic in high doses. Humans can synthesize vitamin A from the precursor molecule beta carotene. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Chloride) Chemical Structure Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Chloride). The B vitamins are enzyme cofactors. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Chemical Structure Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin). Todd Helmenstine Riboflavin is used in many flavoprotein enzyme reactions. Medical uses include migraine prevention and strengthening the cornea of the eye. Riboflavin occurs in eggs, almonds, dairy products, green vegetables, meat, and mushrooms. Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) Chemical Structure Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide). Niacin is also known as niacinamide or the related compound nicotinic acid. The body can synthesize niacin from the amino acid tryptophan. It is found in tuna, fortified foods, turkey, pork, venison, mushrooms, and some vegetables. Niacin and nicotinamide are precursors of the coenzymes NAD and NADP, which are used in hydrogen transfer processes in cells, catabolism of nutrients, and cholesterol synthesis. Vitamin B4 (Adenine) Chemical Structure Vitamin B4 (Adenine). Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) Chemical Structure Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid). Todd Helmenstine Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal) Chemical Structure Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal) Chemical Structure Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal) Chemical Structure. Todd Helmenstine Vitamin B6 is essential as a coenzyme in about 100 enzyme reactions, including those involved in lipid, amino acid, and glucose metabolism. It occurs in grains, meat, fortified cereals, dark chocolate, pistachios, and potatoes. Vitamin B7 (Biotin) Chemical Structure Vitamin B7 (Biotin). Todd Helmenstine Biotin may be obtained from food (cooked eggs, yeast, peanuts, avocado), plus gut organisms synthesize it for absorption into the bloodstream. This water-soluble vitamin is used in fat, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism. Biotin deficiency typically causes a skin rash and thinning hair. Vitamin B9 - Folic Acid Folic acid (vitamin B9) molecule. LAGUNA DESIGN / Getty Images Folic acid is a water soluble vitamin. It is used to make DNA and RNA and for amino acid metabolism. Deficiency is associated with anemia and neural tube defects in human development. Children exhibit signs of folic acid deficiencies within a month of eating a poor diet. The vitamin is abundant in green, leafy vegetables. Vitamin B12 Chemical Structure Vitamin B12. Todd Helmenstine Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin integral to DNA synthesis, fatty acid synthesis, and amino acid metabolism. It is important for nerve myelination and red blood cell maturation. Vitamin C - Ascorbic Acid Chemical Structure Vitamin C or L-Ascorbic Acid. Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant. It is used to produce neurotransmitters, support immune system function, and repair tissue. Vitamin D2 Chemical Structure Vitamin D2. Todd Helmenstine Vitamin D acts like a hormine. It regulates mineral metabolism and is needed for proper bone and organ health. Skin cells can synthesize vitamin D upon exposure to ultraviolet light from the Sun. Vitamin D3 Vitamin D3. Todd Helmenstine Vitamin K1 - Phylloquinone Chemical Structure This is the chemical structure of phylloquinone. Todd Helmenstine The molecular formula for phylloquinone is C31H46O2. Vitamin K is synthesized by microorganisms in the digestive tract. Vitamin K3 (Menadione) Chemical Structure Vitamin K3 (Menadione). Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin needed for the synthesis of proteins used in calcium binding in bones and for blood coagulation. Vitamin E or Tocopherol Chemical Structure Vitamin E or Tocopherol. Vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant. Vitamin M (Folic Acid) Chemical Structure Vitamin M (Folic Acid). Vitamin U Chemical Structure Methylmethionine is also known as Vitamin U. Vitamin H Chemical Structure Vitamin B7 (Biotin). Todd Helmenstine The molecular formula for Vitamin H is C10H16N2O3S. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Vitamin Chemical Structures." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/vitamin-chemical-structures-4064208. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). Vitamin Chemical Structures. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/vitamin-chemical-structures-4064208 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Vitamin Chemical Structures." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/vitamin-chemical-structures-4064208 (accessed January 24, 2021). copy citation