- ≥99% HPLC purity
- Lot-matched certificate of analysis
- Ships next business day, tracked
Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12)
Methylcobalamin solution, 5 mg/mL in 10 mL and 30 mL amber vials
- FormClear deep-red aqueous solution in an amber vial
- Mol. weight1344.38 g/mol
- Research areasOne-carbon and folate metabolism, homocysteine studies, methylation research, neurological models
Supplied for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Overview
Methylcobalamin is one of the two coenzyme-active forms of vitamin B12, the cobalt-containing corrinoid family. Its structure centers on a cobalt ion held in a corrin ring, with a methyl group as the upper axial ligand — the feature that distinguishes it from cyanocobalamin, where that position holds a cyanide group, and from adenosylcobalamin, the mitochondrial coenzyme form.
Biochemically, methylcobalamin is the cofactor for methionine synthase, the cytosolic enzyme that transfers a methyl group from 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to homocysteine to regenerate methionine. That single reaction links B12 status to folate metabolism, to homocysteine concentration and to the supply of S-adenosylmethionine used across cellular methylation. Researchers study these connections in one-carbon metabolism, methylation and neurological model systems.
Supplied as a ready-to-use aqueous solution at 5 mg/mL in amber vials of 10 mL or 30 mL. The characteristic deep red color comes from the corrin-cobalt chromophore, and it is also a warning: cobalamins are markedly photosensitive, so light protection is the central handling requirement for this material. Lot-matched Certificate of Analysis available. For laboratory research use only.
Specifications
Identity
- CAS number
- 13422-55-4
- Molecular formula
- C63H91CoN13O14P
- Molecular weight
- 1344.38 g/mol
Supply & purity
- Form
- Clear deep-red aqueous solution in an amber vial
- Available sizes
- 10 mL and 30 mL vials
Additional detail
- Concentration
- 5 mg/mL methylcobalamin
- Chemical class
- Cobalamin (corrinoid) coenzyme, vitamin B12 family
- Axial ligand
- Methyl group at the upper (beta) cobalt position
- Enzyme role
- Cofactor for methionine synthase (MTR)
- Research areas
- One-carbon and folate metabolism, homocysteine studies, methylation research, neurological models
- Photosensitivity
- High — degrades under ambient and UV light; keep in amber glass and shielded
- Storage
- Refrigerated 2–8 °C, protected from light; do not freeze
Questions about Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12)
What is methylcobalamin?
Methylcobalamin is a coenzyme-active form of vitamin B12 in which a methyl group occupies the upper axial position on the central cobalt ion. It serves as the cofactor for methionine synthase in the one-carbon metabolism pathway.
How does it differ from cyanocobalamin?
Cyanocobalamin carries a cyanide ligand at the same position and must be converted intracellularly before it can act as a coenzyme. Methylcobalamin is already in a coenzyme form. Cyanocobalamin is more photostable, which is why it dominates as an analytical standard.
What concentration and sizes are supplied?
The solution is supplied at 5 mg/mL in either a 10 mL or a 30 mL amber vial. It arrives ready to use, so no reconstitution or weighing of the compound is needed before dilution into your experimental system.
Why is light protection so important?
The cobalt-carbon bond in methylcobalamin photolyses under visible light, converting the compound to hydroxocobalamin and other products. A vial left in ambient light can lose significant content within hours, so amber glass and low-light handling are essential.
Is the material tested?
Yes. Each lot ships with a lot-matched Certificate of Analysis documenting identity, concentration and purity. Because photodegradation is the main risk, confirming the deep red color and spectrophotometric profile on receipt is a useful additional check.
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