The CAS registry number of Canthaxanthin is 514-78-3. Its EINECS registry number is 208-187-2. The IUPAC name is 2,4,4-trimethyl-3-[(1E,3E,5E,7E,9E,11E,13E,15E,17E)-3,7,12,16-tetramethyl-18-(2,6,6-trimethyl-3-oxocyclohexen-1-yl)octadeca-1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17-nonaenyl]cyclohex-2-en-1-one. In addition, the molecular formula is C₄₀H₅₂O₂ and the molecular weight is 564.84. It is also called beta-carotene-4,4'-dione, all-trans-. What's more, it is a carotenoid pigment widely distributed in nature. It should be stored in sealed container, and put in a cool, ventilated and dry place. Moreover, keep it away from the fire and heat source, and avoid the direct sunlight.

Physical properties about this chemical are: (1)ACD/LogP: 10.69; (2)# of Rule of 5 Violations: 2; (3)ACD/LogD (pH 5.5): 10.69; (4)ACD/LogD (pH 7.4): 10.69; (5)ACD/BCF (pH 5.5): 1000000; (6)ACD/BCF (pH 7.4): 1000000; (7)ACD/KOC (pH 5.5): 10000000; (8)ACD/KOC (pH 7.4): 10000000; (9)#H bond acceptors: 2; (10)#Freely Rotating Bonds: 10; (11)Polar Surface Area: 34.14 Å²; (12)Index of Refraction: 1.575; (13)Molar Refractivity: 186.19 cm³; (14)Molar Volume: 563.1 cm³; (15)Polarizability: 73.81 ×10^-24cm³; (16)Surface Tension: 39.3 dyne/cm; (17)Density: 1.003 g/cm³; (18)Flash Point: 253.9 °C; (19)Enthalpy of Vaporization: 104.77 kJ/mol; (20)Boiling Point: 717 °C at 760 mmHg; (21)Vapour Pressure: 2.09E-20 mmHg at 25°C.

Preparation of Canthaxanthin: It was first isolated in edible mushrooms. It has also been found in green algae, bacteria, crustaceans, and fish such as carp, golden mullet, seabream and trush wrasse. In addition, it can be prepared by (2E,4E,6E)-2,7-dimethyl-octa-2,4,6-trienedial and (2E,4E)-[5-(2,6,6-trimethyl-3-oxo-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3-methyl-2,4-pentadien-1-yl]triphenylphosphonium bromide. This reaction will need reagent NaOCH₃, and solvents CH₂Cl₂ and methanol. The reaction time is 1 hour at reaction temperature of -10 °C. The yield is about 78%.

Uses of Canthaxanthin: it is used in farm-raised trout. And it also can be used in combination with astaxanthin for some salmon feeds. In addition, it can be used as an oral suntanning agent, a food and drug coloring agent, a feed and food additive.

You can still convert the following datas into molecular structure:
(1)SMILES: O=C2\C(=C(\C=C\C(=C\C=C\C(=C\C=C\C=C(/C=C\C=C(/C=C\C1=C(\C(=O)CCC1(C)C)C)C)C)C)C)C(C)(C)CC2)C
(2)InChI: InChI=1/C40H52O2/c1-29(17-13-19-31(3)21-23-35-33(5)37(41)25-27-39(35,7)8)15-11-12-16-30(2)18-14-20-32(4)22-24-36-34(6)38(42)26-28-40(36,9)10/h11-24H,25-28H2,1-10H3/b12-11+,17-13-,18-14+,23-21-,24-22+,29-15-,30-16+,31-19-,32-20+
(3)InChIKey: FDSDTBUPSURDBL-OQWFGLAJBT

The toxicity data is as follows: