MolDraw › 3D molecule models › Adrenaline 3D model
Adrenaline molecule model (C9H13NO3)
Adrenaline (epinephrine) is a catecholamine hormone: a benzene ring with two adjacent OH groups (catechol) and a side chain with one stereocentre and a secondary amine.
Drag to rotate · pinch or scroll to zoom. 3D coordinates: PubChem conformer (CID 5816).
Adrenaline at a glance
| Formula | C9H13NO3 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 183.2 g/mol |
| IUPAC name | 4-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-2-(methylamino)ethyl]benzene-1,2-diol |
| Atoms / bonds | 26 / 26 |
| H-bond donors / acceptors | 4 / 4 |
| XLogP3 | -1.4 |
| SMILES | CNC[C@@H](C1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)O)O |
| PubChem CID | 5816 |
What the 3D model of Adrenaline shows
The model contains 26 atoms (13 heavy atoms and 13 hydrogens) joined by 26 bonds; in ball-and-stick mode every stick is one bond, and double or aromatic bonds are drawn as multiple sticks. Switch to space-filling to see the molecule as its electron cloud, scaled to van der Waals radii: this is the shape other molecules actually "feel". It can donate 4 and accept 4 hydrogen bonds, and its PubChem XLogP3 of -1.4 means it is very water-loving (hydrophilic). Its topological polar surface area is 72.7 Ų.
Shape and bond angles
| Atom(s) | Geometry / hybridisation | Angles & lengths |
|---|---|---|
| ring carbons | Planar aromatic, sp² | 120° |
| chiral C–OH | Tetrahedral, sp³ (R in natural adrenaline) | ≈ 109.5° |
| amine N | Trigonal pyramidal, sp³ | ≈ 107–109° |
Is Adrenaline polar?
Polar. The catechol OH groups and protonated amine make it water-soluble.
Elemental composition of C9H13NO3
| Element | Atoms | Mass (g/mol) | Mass % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 9 | 108.099 | 59.00% |
| Hydrogen (H) | 13 | 13.104 | 7.15% |
| Nitrogen (N) | 1 | 14.007 | 7.65% |
| Oxygen (O) | 3 | 47.997 | 26.20% |
Calculated from IUPAC standard atomic weights. Check any formula with the molar mass calculator.
Uses of adrenaline
- Fight-or-flight hormone from the adrenal glands
- EpiPen treatment for anaphylaxis
- Cardiac arrest and local anaesthetic formulations
Interesting facts
- Natural adrenaline is the (R)-enantiomer, which is far more active than (S).
- It was one of the first hormones to be isolated (1901) and synthesised (1904).
- Its catechol group oxidises easily, which is why solutions turn pink or brown with age.
Drawing structures for your notes? MolDraw is a free online chemical structure editor for molecules, reactions and lab diagrams.
Open MolDraw editorFrequently asked questions
Is adrenaline chiral?
Yes. The carbon bearing the OH group is a stereocentre, and the body makes the (R) enantiomer.
What is a catecholamine?
A molecule with a catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) ring and an amine side chain, such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine.
What is the chemical formula and molar mass of adrenaline?
Adrenaline is C9H13NO3 with a molar mass of 183.2 g/mol (PubChem CID 5816). It contains 26 atoms: 9 carbon, 13 hydrogen, 1 nitrogen, 3 oxygen.
What is the IUPAC name of Adrenaline?
The PubChem-computed IUPAC name is 4-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-2-(methylamino)ethyl]benzene-1,2-diol.
How do I make a model of Adrenaline?
Rotate the interactive model above to see how its 26 atoms connect, then copy it with a ball-and-stick kit: use the CPK colours shown (carbon grey or black, hydrogen white, oxygen red, nitrogen blue). For a school project, foam balls and toothpicks work well.