Tag: Naphthoquinone

Derived from the German word 'Koagulationsvitamin' due to its role in blood clotting, the term vitamin K actually refers to a family of related fat-soluble compounds. Therefore, asking what is the chemical name for vitamin K requires understanding its different forms, rather than identifying a single compound.

First discovered in 1929, vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin necessary for blood coagulation and bone health. Its unique biological properties are a direct result of its chemical structure, specifically the functional groups present in vitamin K.

Phylloquinone is a crucial fat-soluble vitamin, formally known as Vitamin K1. It is synthesized exclusively by plants and plays a vital role in blood coagulation and bone metabolism in humans. This article explores the classification of phylloquinone from both a chemical and functional perspective, distinguishing it from related vitamin K compounds like menaquinones.