Panthenol (pantothenol) is the
alcohol analog of
pantothenic acid (vitamin B
5), and is thus a
provitamin of B
5. In organisms it is quickly oxidized to pantothenate [pantothenic acid]. Panthenol is a highly viscous transparent liquid at room temperature, but salts of pantothenic acid (for example sodium pantothenate) are powders (typically white). It is soluble in water,
alcohol,
propylene glycol,
ether and
chloroform, and slightly soluble in
glycerin.