C6H10O3

C6H10O3 is the molecular formula for several organic compounds that share six carbon atoms, ten hydrogen atoms, and three oxygen atoms. It does not designate a single substance but a family of structural isomers with this exact composition.

Because the formula has two degrees of unsaturation, each isomer must include rings and/or carbonyl or double-bond connections. The most common structural motifs among C6H10O3 isomers are lactones (cyclic esters) that include a carbonyl group and an ether linkage, together with an additional oxygen in the form of a hydroxyl or ether. Other possible classes include open-chain hydroxyesters and certain cyclic ethers bearing oxygenous substituents.

Isomers can be described in broad terms as hydroxy-lactones or hydroxy-esters, though exact properties vary widely with the arrangement of atoms, stereochemistry, and substituents. No single compound is defined by the formula alone, so precise characteristics depend on the specific isomer.

Preparation and occurrence are likewise isomer-dependent. C6H10O3 isomers can arise from intramolecular lactonization of hydroxy acids or from esterification of polyols followed by oxidation. They may appear as minor components in natural products or be produced in small-scale synthetic contexts; some may serve as fragrance ingredients or solvents, but none is singled out by the formula itself.

Safety and handling depend on the particular compound. General precautions for oxygenated organic solvents and esters apply, with specifics determined by the exact structure and concentration.