The physico-chemical properties of cyanocobalamin are as follows:
a) The vitamin can be obtained in a crystalline form.
b) It is freely soluble in water.
c) Crystalline vitamin B12 is stable to heating at 100°C for fairly long periods. Cyanocobalamin solution, when autoclaved, is converted partly to hydroxocobalamin. As this compound is heat labile, it is destroyed if heated at 120°C for 30 minutes.