Chemicals and Drugs

Dihydroxyacetone

A ketotriose compound. Its addition to blood preservation solutions results in better maintenance of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels during storage. It is readily phosphorylated to dihydroxyacetone phosphate by triokinase in erythrocytes. In combination with naphthoquinones it acts as a sunscreening agent.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A ketotriose compound. Its addition to blood preservation solutions results in better maintenance of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels during storage. It is readily phosphorylated to dihydroxyacetone phosphate by triokinase in erythrocytes. In combination with naphthoquinones it acts as a sunscreening agent.

Chemical Identity

Chemical Information

Molecular Formula
C3H6O3
Molecular Weight
90.08 g/mol
CAS Registry No.
96-26-4
IUPAC Name
1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-one
InChIKey
RXKJFZQQPQGTFL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES
C(C(=O)CO)O
MeSH Unique ID
D004098
Source
PubChem CID 670

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

4 entry terms
  • 1,3-Dihydroxy-2-Propanone
  • 1,3 Dihydroxy 2 Propanone
  • Chromelin
  • Vitadye

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

29 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analogs & derivatives, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

91(75); was see under TRIOSES 1975-90

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Acetone (1969-1974)
  • Trioses (1969-1974)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Dihydroxyacetone. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D004098. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D004098
  2. Dihydroxyacetone. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dihydroxyacetone
  3. Dihydroxyacetone. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q409618
  4. Dihydroxyacetone. In: PubChem Compound. CID 670. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/670