Difference Between Thiamine Mononitrate and Thiamine Hydrochloride

Main Difference – Thiamine Mononitrate vs Thiamine Hydrochloride

Thiamine mononitrate and thiamine hydrochloride are compounds made by adding different groups to thiamine. Thiamine is vitamin B1. Therefore, Thiamine mononitrate and thiamine hydrochloride are derivatives of vitamin B1. They have different molar masses and other physical properties depending on their chemical structures. The main difference between thiamine mononitrate and thiamine hydrochloride is that thiamine mononitrate is non-hygroscopic whereas thiamine hydrochloride is hygroscopic.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Thiamine Mononitrate
      – Definition, Properties, and Uses
2. What is Thiamine Hydrochloride
      – Definition, Properties, and Uses
3. What is the Difference Between Thiamine Mononitrate and Thiamine Hydrochloride
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Decomposition, Hygroscopic, Thiamine, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B1

What is Thiamine Mononitrate

Thiamine mononitrate is a synthetic stable nitrate salt form of vitamin B1. Thiamine mononitrate is also known as vitamin B1 nitrate and has the molecular formula C₁₂H₁₇N₅O₄S. The molar mass of this compound is about 327.36 g/mol. The IUPAC name of this compound is 3-[(4-amino-2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)methyl]-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazolium nitrate.

Figure 1: Chemical Structure of Thiamine Mononitrate

Thiamine mononitrate is prepared from thiamine hydrochloride. It is done by removing chloride ion and mixing with nitric acid. Then, a nitrate ion combines with the thiamine molecule. Therefore, thiamine mononitrate is synthetic. It can cause mild to severe allergies when consumed by humans. This is mainly because there are more impurities in synthetic vitamins than in natural ones.

However, low levels of thiamine mononitrate are unlikely to cause any severe kidney problems. But the nitrate groups that are present in thiamine mononitrate molecules may accumulate in the kidneys and induce kidney stones by forming insoluble nitrate compounds.

Thiamine mononitrate is used for the preparation of multivitamin formulations and as a food additive. It is used as a food additive because it is more stable and the water absorptivity is low (non-hygroscopic). It is safe to be used as a food additive or in multivitamin formulations because once it is dissolved in water, the nitrate ion is removed and only the thiamine can be absorbed.

What is Thiamine Hydrochloride

Thiamine hydrochloride is Vitamin B1 hydrochloride which has the chemical formula HC₁₂H₁₇ON₄SCl₂. The molar mass of this compound is about 337.263 g/mol. The IUPAC name given for thiamine hydrochloride is 3-((4-Amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl)-5-(2- hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazolium chloride.

Thiamine hydrochloride is the hydrochloride form of thiamine. It is a salt composed of a cation and an anion. Anion is the chloride ion. This compound is available as crystals and has a slight odor. It is soluble in water and forms a clear colorless aqueous solution.

When this compound is heated, it decomposes emitting toxic gases such as nitric oxide, sulfur oxide, etc. The decomposition temperature is around 250 °C. Thiamine hydrochloride is hygroscopic. This means it can absorb water when it is kept exposed to the environment.

This compound is an essential compound for aerobic metabolism, cell growth, acetylcholine synthesis and many other functions in our body.

Difference Between Thiamine Mononitrate and Thiamine Hydrochloride

Definition

Thiamine Mononitrate: Thiamine mononitrate is a synthetic stable nitrate salt form of vitamin B1.

Thiamine Hydrochloride: Thiamine hydrochloride is Vitamin B1 hydrochloride.

Chemical Formula

Thiamine Mononitrate: The chemical formula of thiamine mononitrate is C₁₂H₁₇N₅O₄S.

Thiamine Hydrochloride: The chemical formula of thiamine hydrochloride is HC₁₂H₁₇ON₄SCl₂.

Molar Mass

Thiamine Mononitrate: The molar mass of thiamine mononitrate is about 327.36 g/mol.

Thiamine Hydrochloride: The molar mass of thiamine hydrochloride is about 337.263 g/mol.

Hygroscopy

Thiamine Mononitrate: Thiamine mononitrate is non-hygroscopic.

Thiamine Hydrochloride: Thiamine hydrochloride is hygroscopic.

Anion

Thiamine Mononitrate: The anion present in thiamine mononitrate is nitrate ion.

Thiamine Hydrochloride: The anion present in thiamine hydrochloride is chloride ion.

Stability

Thiamine Mononitrate: Thiamine mononitrate is more stable.

Thiamine Hydrochloride: Thiamine hydrochloride is less stable.

Conclusion

Thiamine is Vitamin B1. Thiamine mononitrate and thiamine hydrochloride are derivatives of thiamine. They are synthetic vitamins. Thiamine mononitrate is used as a food additive and as an additive for the preparation of multivitamin formulations as well. Although they are derivatives of the same compound, they have differences in their properties depending on the chemical structure of compounds. The main difference between thiamine mononitrate and thiamine hydrochloride is that thiamine mononitrate is non-hygroscopic whereas thiamine hydrochloride is hygroscopic.

References:

1. “Thiamine nitrate.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Available here.
2. Thatcher, Elizabeth. “The Side Effects of Thiamine Mononitrate.” LIVESTRONG.COM, Leaf Group, 14 Aug. 2017, Available here.
3. “THIAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Available here.