Sorbitol (/ˈsɔː(r)bɪtɒl/), less commonly known as glucitol (/ˈɡluːsɪtɒl/), is a sugar alcohol with a sweet taste which the human body metabolizes slowly. It can be obtained by reduction of glucose, which changes the converted aldehyde group (−CHO) to a primary alcohol group (−CH₂OH). Most sorbitol is made from potato starch, but it is also found in nature, for example in apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. It is converted to fructose by sorbitol-6-phosphate 2-dehydrogenase. Sorbitol is an isomer of mannitol, another sugar alcohol; the two differ only in the orientation of the hydroxyl group on carbon 2. While similar, the two sugar alcohols have very different sources in nature, melting points, and uses.

Sorbitol

Names
IUPAC name (2S,3R,4R,5R)-Hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol
Other names D-glucitol; D-Sorbitol; Sorbogem; Sorbo
Identifiers
CAS Number	50-70-4 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:17924 N
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1682 N
ChemSpider	5576 N
DrugBank	DB01638 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.056
E number	E420 (thickeners, ...)
KEGG	C00794
MeSH	Sorbitol
PubChem CID	5780
UNII	506T60A25R Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID5023588
InChI InChI=1S/C6H14O6/c7-1-3(9)5(11)6(12)4(10)2-8/h3-12H,1-2H2/t3-,4+,5-,6-/m1/s1 N[pubchem] Key: FBPFZTCFMRRESA-JGWLITMVSA-N N[pubchem] InChI=1/C6H14O6/c7-1-3(9)5(11)6(12)4(10)2-8/h3-12H,1-2H2/t3-,4+,5-,6-/m1/s1 Key: FBPFZTCFMRRESA-JGWLITMVSA
SMILES OC([C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)CO)CO
Properties
Chemical formula	C6H14O6
Molar mass	182.17 g/mol
Appearance	White crystalline powder
Density	1.49 g/cm3
Melting point	94–96 °C (201–205 °F; 367–369 K)
Solubility in water	2350 g/L
log P	-4.67
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	-107.80·10−6 cm3/mol
Pharmacology
ATC code	A06AD18 (WHO) A06AG07 (WHO) B05CX02 (WHO) V04CC01 (WHO)
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	1 1 0
Flash point	> 100 °C (212 °F; 373 K)
Autoignition temperature	420 °C (788 °F; 693 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

As an over-the-counter drug, sorbitol is used as a laxative to treat constipation.