MolDraw › 3D molecule models › Glycine 3D model
Glycine molecule model (C2H5NO2)
Glycine is the smallest amino acid. Its side chain is just a hydrogen atom, so it is the only common amino acid that is not chiral. In water and in crystals it exists as a zwitterion, ⁺H₃N–CH₂–COO⁻.
Drag to rotate · pinch or scroll to zoom. 3D coordinates: PubChem conformer (CID 750).
Glycine at a glance
| Formula | C2H5NO2 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 75.07 g/mol |
| IUPAC name | 2-aminoacetic acid |
| Atoms / bonds | 10 / 9 |
| H-bond donors / acceptors | 2 / 3 |
| XLogP3 | -3.2 |
| SMILES | C(C(=O)O)N |
| PubChem CID | 750 |
What the 3D model of Glycine shows
The model contains 10 atoms (5 heavy atoms and 5 hydrogens) joined by 9 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 3 hydrogen bonds, and its PubChem XLogP3 of -3.2 means it is very water-loving (hydrophilic). Its topological polar surface area is 63.3 Ų.
Shape and bond angles
| Atom(s) | Geometry / hybridisation | Angles & lengths |
|---|---|---|
| α-carbon | Tetrahedral, sp³ | ≈ 109.5° |
| carboxyl C | Trigonal planar, sp² | ≈ 120° |
Is Glycine polar?
Very polar: a zwitterion at neutral pH, highly soluble in water.
Elemental composition of C2H5NO2
| Element | Atoms | Mass (g/mol) | Mass % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 2 | 24.022 | 32.00% |
| Hydrogen (H) | 5 | 5.040 | 6.71% |
| Nitrogen (N) | 1 | 14.007 | 18.66% |
| Oxygen (O) | 2 | 31.998 | 42.63% |
Calculated from IUPAC standard atomic weights. Check any formula with the molar mass calculator.
Uses of glycine
- Protein building block (about every third residue in collagen)
- Inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord
- Food additive and buffering agent
Interesting facts
- Glycine is achiral because its α-carbon carries two hydrogens.
- Collagen's repeating Gly–X–Y pattern lets its triple helix pack tightly.
- Glycine has been detected in comet samples returned by NASA's Stardust mission.
Drawing structures for your notes? MolDraw is a free online chemical structure editor for molecules, reactions and lab diagrams.
Open MolDraw editorFrequently asked questions
Why is glycine not chiral?
Its α-carbon is bonded to two identical hydrogen atoms, so it has no stereocentre.
What is the zwitterion form of glycine?
⁺H₃N–CH₂–COO⁻: the amine is protonated and the acid deprotonated. This is the main form at neutral pH.
What is the chemical formula and molar mass of glycine?
Glycine is C2H5NO2 with a molar mass of 75.07 g/mol (PubChem CID 750). It contains 10 atoms: 2 carbon, 5 hydrogen, 1 nitrogen, 2 oxygen.
What is the IUPAC name of Glycine?
The PubChem-computed IUPAC name is 2-aminoacetic acid.
How do I make a model of Glycine?
Rotate the interactive model above to see how its 10 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.