Glycine
The simplest alpha-amino acid and the achiral exception among common protein amino acids.
- Formula
- C2H5NO2
- Functional group
- Amino acids
- Molar mass
- 75.07 g/mol
- Also known as
- 2-aminoacetic acid, aminoacetic acid, Aminoethanoic acid, Glycocoll, Glycolixir, Glicoamin
Overview
The simplest alpha-amino acid and the achiral exception among common protein amino acids.
Its side chain is hydrogen, leaving two identical hydrogens on the alpha carbon. The amino and carboxyl groups give pH-dependent charge states, commonly represented by a zwitterion. Glycine therefore connects acid–base equilibria with the structural requirements for optical isomerism.
Identifiers
- Formula
- C2H5NO2
- Functional group
- Amino acids
- Molar mass
- 75.07 g/mol
- Also known as
- 2-aminoacetic acid, aminoacetic acid, Aminoethanoic acid, Glycocoll, Glycolixir, Glicoamin
Chemical identifiers
- SMILES
- C(C(=O)O)N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/C2H5NO2/c3-1-2(4)5/h1,3H2,(H,4,5)
- PubChem CID
- 750
Properties
- Melting / decomposition
- 290 °C decomposes
- Density
- 1.161 g/cu cm @ 20 °C
- Water solubility
- water solubility = 2.49X10+5 mg/l @ 25 °C
Data availability
Not published: Boiling Point.
Related compounds
- Amino acids
The simplest alpha-amino acid and the achiral exception among common protein amino acids.
References
- PubChem Compound Summary: Glycine (CID 750)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Structures of amino acidsJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023
Supports the qualitative structural interpretation of the recorded molecular structure; no new physical measurement or verified preparative yield is claimed.
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Glycine — melting pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/750#section=Melting-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Lide, D.R. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 79th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 1998-1999., p. 3-173
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Glycine — densityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/750#section=Density. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Lide, D.R. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 79th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., 1998-1999., p. 3-173
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Glycine — solubilityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/750#section=Solubility. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Yalkowsky SH, Dannenfelser RM; The AQUASOL dATAbASE of Aqueous Solubility. Fifth Ed, Tucson, AZ: Univ Az, College of Pharmacy (1992)