Glycine CAS#56-40-6
Simplest Proteinogenic Amino Acid
Glycine (Gly or G) is the smallest of the 20 common amino acids found in proteins, featuring a simple structure with a single hydrogen atom as its side chain.High Purity & Pleasant Characteristics
Glycine appears as a colorless, crystalline solid with a naturally sweet taste, making it suitable for food, pharmaceutical, and nutritional applications.Non-Chiral & Highly Versatile
Unlike most amino acids, glycine is not chiral and can function effectively in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic environments due to its minimal side-chain structure.Essential Biological Significance
Encoded by the genetic codons GGU, GGC, GGA, and GGG, glycine plays a vital role in protein synthesis and numerous metabolic processes.
Glycine (CAS No. 56-40-6)
Glycine, also known as Gly or G, is an organic amino acid with the molecular formula NH₂CH₂COOH. Due to its simple structure and single hydrogen atom as its side chain, glycine is the smallest of the 20 amino acids commonly present in proteins. It is encoded by the genetic codons GGU, GGC, GGA, and GGG.
Glycine appears as a colorless, crystalline solid with a mildly sweet taste. It is unique among proteinogenic amino acids in that it is non-chiral, allowing it to function effectively in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic environments. In addition to its biochemical importance, Glycine is also the genus name of the soybean plant (Glycine max).
Glycine Chemical Properties
| Melting point | 240 °C (dec.) (lit.) |
| Boiling point | 233°C |
| bulk density | 920kg/m3 |
| density | 1.595 |
| vapor pressure | 0.0000171 Pa (25 °C) |
| refractive index | 1.4264 (estimate) |
| FEMA | 3287 | GLYCINE |
| Fp | 176.67°C |
| storage temp. | 2-8°C |
| solubility | H2O: 100 mg/mL |
| pka | 2.35(at 25℃) |
| form | powder |
| color | <5 (200 mg/mL)(APHA) |
| PH | 4(0.2 molar aqueous solution) |
| PH Range | 4 |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Odor Type | odorless |
| biological source | synthetic |
| Water Solubility | 25 g/100 mL (25 ºC) |
| λmax | λ: 260 nm Amax: 0.05 |
| λ: 280 nm Amax: 0.05 | |
| Merck | 144,491 |
| JECFA Number | 1421 |
| BRN | 635782 |
| Stability: | Stable. Combustible. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. |
| Cosmetics Ingredients Functions | ANTISTATIC |
| BUFFERING | |
| SKIN CONDITIONING | |
| HAIR CONDITIONING | |
| InChIKey | DHMQDGOQFOQNFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| LogP | -3.21 |
| CAS DataBase Reference | 56-40-6(CAS DataBase Reference) |
| NIST Chemistry Reference | Glycine(56-40-6) |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Glycine (56-40-6) |
| Absorption | ≤0.15 at 280 at 1M |
| CAS Number Unlabeled | 73-32-5 |
Safety Information
| Risk Statements | 33 |
| Safety Statements | 22-24/25 |
| WGK Germany | 2 |
| RTECS | MB7600000 |
| TSCA | Yes |
| HS Code | 29224910 |
| Hazardous Substances Data | 56-40-6(Hazardous Substances Data) |
| Toxicity | LD50 orally in Rabbit: 7930 mg/kg |
Product Applications of Glycine (CAS No. 56-40-6)
In the United States market, glycine is commonly available in two main grades: United States Pharmacopeia (USP) grade and technical grade. The majority of glycine is produced as USP grade material due to its broad range of applications, accounting for approximately 80–85% of total glycine consumption in the U.S.
Pharmaceutical-grade glycine is manufactured for specialized medical uses, such as intravenous injections, where purity standards often exceed the minimum requirements of USP specifications. This grade is typically produced according to proprietary standards and is sold at a premium compared to USP-grade glycine.
Factory & Equipment Overview
Advanced manufacturing facilities and modern equipment ensure consistent quality, high purity, and reliable production capacity.



