MolDraw › 3D molecule models › Melatonin 3D model
Melatonin molecule model (C13H16N2O2)
Melatonin is the sleep hormone. Made from serotonin, it has an indole ring with a 5-methoxy group and an N-acetylated ethylamine chain, which makes it less polar and able to cross membranes easily.
Drag to rotate · pinch or scroll to zoom. 3D coordinates: PubChem conformer (CID 896).
Melatonin at a glance
| Formula | C13H16N2O2 |
|---|---|
| Molar mass | 232.28 g/mol |
| IUPAC name | N-[2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]acetamide |
| Atoms / bonds | 33 / 34 |
| H-bond donors / acceptors | 2 / 2 |
| XLogP3 | 0.8 |
| SMILES | CC(=O)NCCC1=CNC2=C1C=C(C=C2)OC |
| PubChem CID | 896 |
What the 3D model of Melatonin shows
The model contains 33 atoms (17 heavy atoms and 16 hydrogens) joined by 34 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 PubChem XLogP3 of 0.8 means it is fairly balanced between water and fat solubility. Its topological polar surface area is 54.1 Ų.
Shape and bond angles
| Atom(s) | Geometry / hybridisation | Angles & lengths |
|---|---|---|
| indole ring | Planar aromatic, sp² | ≈ 120° |
| amide C=O | Trigonal planar, sp²; planar amide | ≈ 120° |
Is Melatonin polar?
Moderately polar but lipophilic enough (XLogP ≈ 0.8) to cross the blood–brain barrier.
Elemental composition of C13H16N2O2
| Element | Atoms | Mass (g/mol) | Mass % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 13 | 156.143 | 67.22% |
| Hydrogen (H) | 16 | 16.128 | 6.94% |
| Nitrogen (N) | 2 | 28.014 | 12.06% |
| Oxygen (O) | 2 | 31.998 | 13.78% |
Calculated from IUPAC standard atomic weights. Check any formula with the molar mass calculator.
Uses of melatonin
- Regulates the circadian rhythm (sleep–wake cycle)
- Dietary supplement for jet lag and sleep onset
- Antioxidant
Interesting facts
- The pineal gland secretes melatonin mainly at night, and blue light suppresses it.
- It is made from serotonin by N-acetylation and then O-methylation.
- Melatonin is also found in plants, where it acts as an antioxidant.
Drawing structures for your notes? MolDraw is a free online chemical structure editor for molecules, reactions and lab diagrams.
Open MolDraw editorFrequently asked questions
How is melatonin related to serotonin?
Serotonin is acetylated on its amine and methylated on its 5-OH to make melatonin.
Is melatonin a steroid?
No. It is an indoleamine, derived from the amino acid tryptophan.
What is the chemical formula and molar mass of melatonin?
Melatonin is C13H16N2O2 with a molar mass of 232.28 g/mol (PubChem CID 896). It contains 33 atoms: 13 carbon, 16 hydrogen, 2 nitrogen, 2 oxygen.
What is the IUPAC name of Melatonin?
The PubChem-computed IUPAC name is N-[2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]acetamide.
How do I make a model of Melatonin?
With 33 atoms, Melatonin is a big kit build. Use the interactive model above as your guide, build the ring or core framework first, then add the side groups and finally the hydrogens.