MolDraw › 3D molecule models › Alanine structure
Alanine structure and 3D model (C3H7NO2)
L-alanine is the simplest chiral amino acid. Its side chain is a single methyl group on the α-carbon.
Drag to rotate · pinch or scroll to zoom. 3D coordinates: computed with RDKit (ETKDG conformer, force-field optimised).
Alanine at a glance
| Formula | C3H7NO2 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 89.09 g/mol |
| IUPAC name | (2S)-2-aminopropanoic acid |
| Atoms / bonds | 13 / 12 |
| H-bond donors / acceptors | 2 / 2 |
| logP (estimated) | -0.6 |
| SMILES | C[C@@H](C(=O)O)N |
| InChIKey | QNAYBMKLOCPYGJ-REOHCLBHSA-N |
| PubChem | 5950 |
What the 3D model of Alanine shows
The model contains 13 atoms (6 heavy atoms and 7 hydrogens) joined by 12 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 2 and accept 2 hydrogen bonds, and its estimated logP of -0.6 means it is very water-loving (hydrophilic). Its topological polar surface area is 63 Ų.
Shape and bond angles
| Atom(s) | Geometry / hybridisation | Angles & lengths |
|---|---|---|
| α-carbon | Tetrahedral, sp³; stereocentre (S) | ≈ 109.5° |
| carboxyl carbon | Trigonal planar, sp² | ≈ 120° |
| amino N | Tetrahedral as NH₃⁺ in the zwitterion | ≈ 109.5° |
Is Alanine polar?
Yes. In water and in the solid it exists as a zwitterion, H₃N⁺–CH(CH₃)–COO⁻, which is highly polar.
Elemental composition of C3H7NO2
| Element | Atoms | Mass (g/mol) | Mass % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 3 | 36.033 | 40.44% |
| Hydrogen (H) | 7 | 7.056 | 7.92% |
| Nitrogen (N) | 1 | 14.007 | 15.72% |
| Oxygen (O) | 2 | 31.998 | 35.91% |
Calculated from IUPAC standard atomic weights. Check any formula with the molar mass calculator.
Uses of alanine
- One of the 20 amino acids that make up proteins
- Carries nitrogen from muscle to the liver (glucose–alanine cycle)
- Used in sports supplements and food flavouring
Interesting facts
- Alanine was first synthesised by Adolph Strecker in 1850.
- Its name may come from acetaldehyde, the starting material in that synthesis.
- Alanine has been found in meteorites, in both L and D forms.
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Open MolDraw editorFrequently asked questions
What is the structure of Alanine?
L-alanine is the simplest chiral amino acid. Its side chain is a single methyl group on the α-carbon. Its SMILES is C[C@@H](C(=O)O)N.
Is alanine chiral?
Yes. Its α-carbon carries four different groups (H, CH₃, NH₂, COOH). Natural L-alanine is the (S) enantiomer.
Is alanine polar or non-polar?
Its side chain (CH₃) is classed as non-polar, but the whole molecule is a polar zwitterion.
What is the chemical formula and molar mass of Alanine?
Alanine is C3H7NO2 with a molar mass of 89.09 g/mol. It contains 13 atoms: 3 carbon, 7 hydrogen, 1 nitrogen, 2 oxygen.
What is the IUPAC name of Alanine?
The IUPAC name is (2S)-2-aminopropanoic acid.
How do I draw Alanine?
Open the MolDraw editor, paste the SMILES C[C@@H](C(=O)O)N or type "Alanine" in name search, and the structure is drawn for you. You can then export it as PNG, SVG, MOL or CDXML.