CompoundList
Sign in
Food colors

Canthaxanthin

Also known as Canthaxanthine, Orobronze, Carophyll Red

CAS 514-78-3Formula C40H52O2Molar mass 564.85 g/molEC 208-187-2
32 suppliers listed
Get quotes Compare 32 suppliers
Canthaxanthin chemical structure, C40H52O2, CAS 514-78-3
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
CAS number
514-78-3
Formula
C40H52O2
Molar mass
564.85 g/mol
Physical form
Crystals
HS code
320418
Category
Food colors
Illustrative photo, drums, an IBC tote and sacks in a chemical warehouse in a warehouse
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Canthaxanthin?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Canthaxanthin is a carotenone that consists of beta,beta-carotene bearing two oxo substituents at positions 4 and 4'. It has a role as a biological pigment, a fungal metabolite, an Escherichia coli metabolite and a food colouring. It derives from a hydride of a beta-carotene.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
2,4,4-trimethyl-3-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-18-(2,6,6-trimethyl-3-oxocyclohexen-1-yl)octadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaenyl]cyclohex-2-en-1-one
CAS number
514-78-3 CAS number cross-checked
EC number
208-187-2
Molecular formula
C40H52O2
UNII
4C3C6403MU
MDL number
MFCD00016364
INCI name
CI 40850
InChIKey
FDSDTBUPSURDBL-DKLMTRRASA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C40H52O2/c1-29(17-13-19-31(3)21-23-35-33(5)37(41)25-27-39(35,7)8)15-11-12-16-30(2)18-14-20-32(4)22-24-36-34(6)38(42)26-28-40(36,9)10/h11-24H,25-28H2,1-10H3/b12-11+,17-13+,18-14+,23-21+,24-22+,29-15+,30-16+,31-19+,32-20+
Canonical SMILES
CC(C=CC=C(C)C=CC1=C(C)C(=O)CCC1(C)C)=CC=CC=C(C)C=CC=C(C)C=CC1=C(C)C(=O)CCC1(C)C
Isomeric SMILES
CC1=C(C(CCC1=O)(C)C)/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C(=C/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C=C(/C=C/C2=C(C(=O)CCC2(C)C)C)\C)\C)/C)/C

Synonyms

  • Canthaxanthine
  • Orobronze
  • Carophyll Red
  • Food orange 8
  • Roxanthin Red 10
  • 4,4'-Dioxo-beta-carotene
  • CI 40850
  • Kantakisantin
  • INS NO.161G
  • CI-(1975)NO.40850
  • beta,beta-Carotene-4,4'-dione
  • Cantaxanthin
  • Cantaxanthine
  • L-Orange 7
  • All-trans-Canthaxanthin
  • 4,4'-Diketo-beta-carotene
  • all-trans,beta-Carotene-4,4'-dione
  • 4,4'-Diketo-b-carotene
  • CanthaXanthin, Powder
  • E 161g, all-trans-Canthaxanthin
  • 3,3'-((1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-3,7,12,16-tetramethyloctadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaene-1,18-diyl)bis(2,4,4-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one)
  • Canthaxanthin (trans)
  • C.I. Food Orange 8
  • Carotene-4,4'-dione, beta-
  • Ro 1-9915
Show all 37 synonyms
  • E 161 G
  • beta-CAROTENE-4,4'-DIONE, all-trans-
  • CANTHAXANTHIN (euglenanone)
  • E 161g
  • Cantha
  • Canthaxanthin, tech.
  • Lucantin red
  • Isomer of Canthaxanthin
  • Canthaxanthin (Standard)
  • Canthaxanthin(E 161g)
  • 4,4'-Dioxo-b-carotene
  • ci-Food orange 8

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Physical form
Crystalsexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
564.85 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
564.3967 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
10.96calc.
Topological polar surface area
34.14 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
2calc.
Rotatable bonds
10calc.
Heavy atoms
42calc.
Rings
2calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.4calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Fails (2 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Murcko scaffold

The ring system that remains when every side chain is removed

Murcko scaffold of this chemical, O=C1C=C(C=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC2=CC(=O)CCC2)CCC1

O=C1C=C(C=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC=CC2=CC(=O)CCC2)CCC1

2 rings, 32 atoms.

18 other chemicals share this scaffold

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

No GHS hazard classification is recorded for this substance yet. That does not mean it is harmless.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Canthaxanthin suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 32 suppliers
30 of 30 offers

Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

Where suppliers are based

32 suppliers in 9 countries

Send one request to many suppliers

Choose up to 10 suppliers or let us match your request. Compare quotes side by side, free.

Choose suppliersPost a request

Canthaxanthin price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

No published prices right now

Suppliers quote this chemical on request. Send one free request and compare quotes side by side.

Get latest price

Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Use classes: Food additives, Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name CI 40850(colorant)

Pharmacological actions

  • Antioxidants

Roles

  • Escherichia coli metabolite
  • additive
  • bacterial metabolite
  • biological pigment
  • biophysical role
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • food additive
  • food colouring
  • food component
  • fungal metabolite
  • metabolite
  • physiological role
  • prokaryotic metabolite

Functional uses

  • Dye

Cosmetic functions

  • Colorant

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex IV, allowed colourant
    Name: CI 40850, Ref no: 58, Annex ref: IV/58
  • Food additive

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Canthaxanthin is traded under.

HS 3204.18Indicative HS code

Carotenoid colouring matters and preparations based thereon

World exports in 2024
$696M
+8.0% vs 2023, imports $526M
2022 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. France * partner reported34.6%
  2. Netherlands31.7%
  3. Germany12.1%
Top importers
  1. Netherlands34.7%
  2. China6.3%
  3. France * partner reported5.0%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Canthaxanthin is indicative (it is known at chapter level only). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Canthaxanthin, based on the data on this page

What is Canthaxanthin?

Canthaxanthin is a carotenone that consists of beta,beta-carotene bearing two oxo substituents at positions 4 and 4'. It has a role as a biological pigment, a fungal metabolite, an Escherichia coli metabolite and a food colouring. It derives from a hydride of a beta-carotene.

What is the CAS number of Canthaxanthin?

The CAS registry number of Canthaxanthin is 514-78-3.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Canthaxanthin?

The molecular formula of Canthaxanthin is C40H52O2 and its molar mass is 564.85 g/mol.

What is Canthaxanthin used for?

Use classes: Food additives, Cosmetics.

Is Canthaxanthin hazardous?

No GHS hazard classification for Canthaxanthin is recorded on CompoundList yet. That does not prove it is safe. Always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Canthaxanthin?

Canthaxanthin is usually classified under HS code 320418 (Carotenoid colouring matters and preparations based thereon). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Canthaxanthin?

CompoundList lists 32 suppliers of Canthaxanthin in China, United States, Turkey, Canada and 5 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Canthaxanthin in India?

1 supplier in India list Canthaxanthin on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Canthaxanthin?

Suppliers quote Canthaxanthin on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Canthaxanthin

Get quotes for Canthaxanthin

Post one free request with your grade, quantity and destination. Matching suppliers send quotes you can compare side by side.
Post a request Sell Canthaxanthin
Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
Embed this structure on your websiteShow code

Paste this code into your page to show the 2D structure of Canthaxanthin with a 3D view, its CAS number where known and a link back to this page. Free to use with the link kept.

<iframe src="https://www.compoundlist.com/embed/structure/canthaxanthin-514-78-3" title="Canthaxanthin structure on CompoundList" width="360" height="420" style="border:1px solid #E7E2DA;border-radius:12px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"></iframe>
Preview the embed

Explore more in Food colors or HS code 320418

32 suppliers
Free quotes, contact stays private
Get quotes