Retinal
Chemical compound
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Retinal is a polyene chromophore. Retinal, bound to proteins called opsins, is the chemical basis of visual phototransduction, the light-detection stage of visual perception.
Some microorganisms use retinal to convert light into metabolic energy. Wikipedia
Formula: C20H28O
IUPAC ID: (2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenal
3D model (JSmol): Interactive image
Melting point: 61 to 64 °C (142 to 147 °F; 334 to 337 K)
Molar mass: 284.443 g·mol−1
Related compounds: retinol; retinoic acid; beta-carotene; dehydroretinal; 3-hydroxyretinal; 4-hydroxyretinal
Solubility in fat: Soluble