2aminohexanoic

2-aminohexanoic acid, also known as alpha-aminohexanoic acid or $\alpha$-aminohexanoic acid, is an organic compound with the chemical formula $\text{C}_6\text{H}_{13}\text{NO}_2$. It is one of the three positional isomers of aminohexanoic acid, differing in the position of the amino group on the carbon chain. In 2-aminohexanoic acid, the amino group is attached to the second carbon atom of the hexanoic acid chain. This molecule is a non-proteinogenic amino acid, meaning it is not one of the 20 standard amino acids found in proteins.

The structure of 2-aminohexanoic acid consists of a six-carbon chain, a carboxyl group ($\text{-COOH}$) at one end, and an amino group ($\text{-NH}_2$) attached to the carbon adjacent to the carboxyl group. It possesses a chiral center at the alpha-carbon, meaning it can exist as two enantiomers: L-2-aminohexanoic acid and D-2-aminohexanoic acid.

2-aminohexanoic acid can be synthesized through various organic chemistry methods, including amination of 2-haloalkanoic acids or Gabriel synthesis. Its properties are similar to other amino acids, exhibiting amphoteric behavior due to the presence of both acidic carboxyl and basic amino groups.

While not a building block of proteins, 2-aminohexanoic acid and its derivatives have been explored for various applications. For instance, it has been investigated in the context of peptide chemistry and as a potential component in the synthesis of novel polymers or pharmaceuticals. Its presence in biological systems is generally limited unless introduced exogenously or as a metabolic intermediate in specific pathways.