Alanine

C₃H₇NO₂

IUPAC: (S)-2-Aminopropanoic acid

CAS: 56-41-7

Overview

Alanine is a non-essential amino acid that is one of the most abundant amino acids in proteins. It plays a central role in the glucose-alanine cycle, shuttling nitrogen from muscle to liver during exercise and fasting. It is the second simplest amino acid after glycine.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Hydrogen H 7 1.0080
Carbon C 3 12.0110
Nitrogen N 1 14.0070
Oxygen O 2 15.9990

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×7
7.9%
C
Carbon ×3
40.4%
N
Nitrogen ×1
15.7%
O
Oxygen ×2
35.9%

Uses

  • • Protein building block
  • • Glucose-alanine cycle
  • • Food additive
  • • Pharmaceutical intermediate

Fun Facts

  • ✦ The glucose-alanine cycle transports nitrogen from exercising muscles to the liver for disposal

Safety

  • ⚠ Generally recognized as safe

Structure

SMILES

CC(C(=O)O)N

Properties

Type
organic
State
solid
Molar Mass
89.09 g/mol
Density
1.4240 g/cm³
Melting Point
258.0 °C
Solubility
167 g/L at 25°C

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
89.0477
XLogP
-3.0
TPSA
63.3 Ų
H-Bond Donors
2
H-Bond Acceptors
3
Rotatable Bonds
1
Heavy Atoms
6
Complexity
61.0

Also Known As

L-Alanine Ala A

Related Compounds

1,2-Dichloroethane

C₂H₄Cl₂

1,3-Butadiene

C₄H₆

1,4-Dioxane

C₄H₈O₂

1-Butanol

C₄H₁₀O

2-Propanol

C₃H₈O

Acetaldehyde

CH₃CHO

Acetamide

C₂H₅NO

Acetic Anhydride

C₄H₆O₃

Acetone

(CH₃)₂CO

Acetonitrile

C₂H₃N

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Alanine?
Alanine (C₃H₇NO₂) is a organic compound with the IUPAC name (S)-2-Aminopropanoic acid.
What is the molecular weight of Alanine?
Alanine has a molar mass of 89.094 g/mol.
What state is Alanine at room temperature?
Alanine is a solid at room temperature.
Is Alanine organic or inorganic?
Alanine is classified as an organic compound.
What elements make up Alanine?
Alanine (C₃H₇NO₂) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O).