Cysteine

C₃H₇NO₂S

IUPAC: (2R)-2-Amino-3-sulfanylpropanoic acid

CAS: 52-90-4

Overview

Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid critical for protein structure through disulfide bonds. It is used in food processing and as a mucolytic agent.

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
Sulfur S 1 32.0600

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×7
5.8%
C
Carbon ×3
29.7%
N
Nitrogen ×1
11.6%
O
Oxygen ×2
26.4%
S
Sulfur ×1
26.5%

Uses

  • • Food processing (dough conditioner)
  • • Mucolytic drug (NAC)
  • • Cosmetics
  • • Antioxidant

Fun Facts

  • ✦ Most commercial L-cysteine is extracted from human hair or produced by fermentation

Structure

SMILES

C(C(C(=O)O)N)S

Properties

Type
organic
State
solid
Molar Mass
121.16 g/mol
Density
1.3000 g/cm³
Melting Point
240.0 °C
Solubility
very soluble

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
121.0197
XLogP
-2.5
TPSA
64.3 Ų
H-Bond Donors
3
H-Bond Acceptors
4
Rotatable Bonds
2
Heavy Atoms
7
Complexity
75.0

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 Cysteine?
Cysteine (C₃H₇NO₂S) is a organic compound with the IUPAC name (2R)-2-Amino-3-sulfanylpropanoic acid.
What is the molecular weight of Cysteine?
Cysteine has a molar mass of 121.16 g/mol.
What state is Cysteine at room temperature?
Cysteine is a solid at room temperature.
Is Cysteine organic or inorganic?
Cysteine is classified as an organic compound.
What elements make up Cysteine?
Cysteine (C₃H₇NO₂S) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Oxygen (O), Sulfur (S).