C8H15NO6

C8H15NO6 is the molecular formula for N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc), an amino sugar derivative of glucose. The formula indicates eight carbons, fifteen hydrogens, one nitrogen, and six oxygens per molecule. GlcNAc exists predominantly in the D-configuration in biological systems, and like many sugars it can adopt different stereochemical forms and anomers, which are not distinguished by the formula alone.

Structurally, GlcNAc is formed from glucose with the C2 hydroxyl group replaced by an N-acetylamino group, yielding an acetylated amino functionality alongside the ring and hydroxyl groups characteristic of hexoses. This modification enables GlcNAc to participate in a wide range of biological processes and to act as a building block in larger polysaccharides.

Natural occurrence and function are central to GlcNAc. It is a key monomer of the polysaccharide chitin, which forms the exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects and the cell walls of fungi. In biology, GlcNAc is also a critical precursor in the biosynthesis of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), a donor substrate for the N- and O-glycosylation of proteins and for the production of various glycosaminoglycans involved in extracellular matrices.

Applications and sources vary. GlcNAc is produced commercially and sold as a dietary supplement marketed for joint health, and it serves as a reagent in glycobiology research. It can be derived from natural sources such as crustacean shells or synthesized chemically, and it is widely used in studies of metabolism, glycosylation, and structural biology.

Safety and handling are typical of nutraceutical and laboratory carbohydrates; adverse effects are uncommon but may include mild gastrointestinal discomfort in some individuals.