3aminovaleric

3-Aminovaleric acid, also known as 3-aminopentanoic acid, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C5H11NO2. It is a non-proteinogenic amino acid, meaning it is not one of the 20 standard amino acids that make up proteins in living organisms. It is a structural isomer of valine and leucine. The molecule contains both an amine group and a carboxylic acid group attached to a five-carbon chain, with the amine group located on the third carbon atom. This specific arrangement gives it unique chemical properties.

3-Aminovaleric acid can exist in different stereoisomeric forms due to the presence of a chiral center at the third carbon atom. It can be synthesized through various chemical routes, often involving reactions that introduce an amine group into a valeric acid derivative. While not found naturally in significant biological pathways, it has been explored for its potential applications in medicinal chemistry and as a building block in organic synthesis. Research has investigated its role as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator, though its physiological significance is not as established as other amino acids. Its properties make it a subject of interest in academic and industrial research settings.