Picolinic acid

Picolinic acid is an isomer of niacin; it is a six-membered ring structure compound composed of five carbon atoms and a nitrogen which replace one carbon-hydrogen unit in the benzene ring, plus a carboxyl side chain at 2-position (nicotinic acid has a carboxyl side chain at 3-position). It acts as a chelating agent of elements such as chromium, zinc, manganese, copper, iron, and molybdenum in the body. It is involved in phenylalanine, tryptophan, and alkaloids production, and for the quantitative detection of calcium. This forms a complex with zinc, that may facilitate the passage of zinc through the gastrointestinal wall and into the circulatory system. Commercially picolinic acid is used as an intermediate to produce pharmaceuticals (especially local anesthetics) and metal salts for the application of nutritional supplements.