Coenzyme Q10 (Ubidecarenone) | CAS 303-98-0 | Benzoquinone Cofactor (Research Use Only) | Knowlux

Product Summary

Knowlux supplies coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) as a lipid-soluble benzoquinone reference material for laboratory research, assay calibration and formulation pre-studies. The substance is a yellow to orange crystalline powder built on a quinone ring with a ten-unit isoprenoid side chain, and occurs in oxidised (ubiquinone) and reduced (ubiquinol) forms that interconvert in biological systems. Each consignment ships with a batch-tied analytical file (COA, SDS, chromatograms and origin documentation) so the material can be traced from container to bench.

Specification Sheet

Parameter	Detail
Product	Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone form)
Synonyms	Ubidecarenone; Ubiquinone-10; CoQ10; 2-(3,7,11,15,19,23,27,31,35,39-Decamethyl-2,6,10,14,18,22,26,30,34,38-tetracontadecaenyl)-5,6-dimethoxy-3-methyl-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione
CAS	303-98-0
EC No.	206-147-9
Formula	C59H90O4
Molecular weight	863.34 g/mol
Appearance	Yellow to orange-yellow crystalline powder
Melting range	~47-51 C
Solubility	Freely soluble in chloroform, benzene, carbon tetrachloride; soluble in acetone, ether; slightly soluble in ethanol; practically insoluble in water and methanol
Assay	>=98.0% (HPLC); >=99.0% available on request
Identity	HPLC retention time; IR spectrum consistent with reference
Grade	Research grade
Water content	<=0.2% (Karl Fischer)
Storage	-20 C preferred; 2-8 C acceptable short-term; amber vial, protected from light
Hazard classification	Not classified as hazardous under CLP/GHS; fine powder may cause dust irritation
HS code	2914.69.00 (quinones)
Pack sizes	1 g / 5 g / 10 g / 25 g / 50 g / 100 g
MOQ	1 g
Capacity	Gram to kilogram scale
Origin	China

Structural and Stability Notes

Coenzyme Q10 is a 1,4-benzoquinone with a decaprenyl tail: the quinone ring carries two methoxy groups and one methyl group, while the side chain is built from ten isoprene units. The redox-active quinone moiety is the functional centre, cycling between the oxidised ubiquinone and the reduced ubiquinol (ubiquinol-10, CAS 992-78-9) forms by accepting and donating electrons.

Three practical consequences follow:

Photolability. CoQ10 degrades on exposure to light, particularly UV, with a visible shift toward reddish or darker colour indicating decomposition. Amber glass and light-protected storage are functional requirements, not presentation choices.

Lipophilicity governs handling. The compound is practically insoluble in water and methanol, and dissolves readily in chloroform, benzene, and acetone. Aqueous assay systems require a delivery vehicle (cyclodextrin, liposome, or solvent dispersion) rather than simple dissolution.

Thermal sensitivity is moderate. The solid is relatively stable to temperature and humidity when protected from light, but repeated warming to ambient accelerates degradation. The melting range of approximately 47-51 C is low enough that storage near or above this temperature should be avoided.

Redox Form Distinction

Two forms circulate under the coenzyme Q10 name and are not interchangeable in assay systems:

Offering	Composition	Typical research use
Oxidised CoQ10 (ubiquinone)	The benzoquinone form, CAS 303-98-0; stable under ambient conditions	Reference standard; antioxidant assay calibration; HPLC method validation
Reduced CoQ10 (ubiquinol)	The hydroquinone form, CAS 992-78-9; readily oxidises back to ubiquinone in air	Cellular antioxidant studies; redox ratio determination

The CAS 303-98-0 describes the oxidised parent molecule. Buyers comparing quotations should confirm which redox state is being offered and whether the assay method distinguishes the two forms, because the reduced form is markedly more oxygen-sensitive and behaves differently in biological matrices.

Analytical Release

Check	Method
Assay (CoQ10)	HPLC-UV, external standard
Identity	HPLC retention time; IR spectrum
Related impurities (CoQ7, CoQ8, CoQ9, CoQ11)	HPLC
Moisture	Karl Fischer
Residual solvents	Headspace GC (on request)
Heavy metals	ICP-MS (on request)
Appearance	Visual inspection

Each batch is released with the chromatogram set generated for that lot, not a generic specification sheet.

Handling and Storage

Keep containers tightly closed, protected from light, and stored cold. Working solutions in chloroform or acetone should be prepared fresh; aqueous dispersions require a carrier system and should be used promptly. Discolouration toward red or brown indicates photodegradation and loss of potency. Sealed, light-protected storage at -20 C supports the retest period stated on the COA.

Research Applications

• Certified reference material for coenzyme Q10 quantification in plasma, tissue and food matrices

• Antioxidant capacity assay calibration and redox potential studies

• Mitochondrial electron transport chain research (complex I-III cofactor studies)

• Formulation screening for lipid-soluble actives (softgel, emulsion, cyclodextrin complex)

• HPLC and LC-MS method validation for ubiquinone/ubiquinol ratio determination

• Analytical standard for dietary supplement and pharmaceutical quality control

Documentation and Traceability

Each lot is released against its own file: certificate of analysis with raw chromatograms, safety data sheet, certificate of origin, residual-solvent statement (on request), and a stability/retest note. Method-transfer packages and supplier audit support are available project by project.

Packing and Dispatch

Primary containment: amber glass vial or high-barrier aluminium pouch with tamper-evident seal. Secondary containment: light-blocking carton with desiccant. Shipments leave Hubei within the quoted lead time, ambient by default, with cold packs where route or season requires. Export documents (invoice, packing list, COA, SDS, origin certificate) are prepared before dispatch.

About Knowlux

Knowlux Biotechnology operates from Hubei, China, as a GMP-oriented supplier of peptides, active substances and fine-chemical research compounds. Customers include academic laboratories, CDMOs, formulation developers and distributors in more than 40 countries. Beyond catalogue supply, we handle custom synthesis, bespoke pack sizes and documentation packages built to a client's audit template.

Compliance and Use Restriction

This material is released strictly for laboratory research use. It must not be administered to humans or animals, must not be used in diagnosis or therapy, and is not offered for retail, personal or household use.

Coenzyme Q10 is authorised in many jurisdictions as a food supplement ingredient, a cosmetic ingredient, and a pharmaceutical active substance in certain formulations. Those regulatory positions attach to compliant food-, cosmetic- and pharmaceutical-grade supply chains and do not apply to, and are not represented by, this research-grade lot.

Statements describing published research are scientific background only. They are not medical advice, not a health claim, and not dosing or therapeutic guidance.