Title: Arginine
CAS Registry Number: 74-79-3
CAS Name: L-Arginine
Synonyms: Arg; R; 2-amino-5-guanidinovaleric acid; (
S)-2-amino-5-[(aminoiminomethyl)amino]pentanoic acid
Molecular Formula: C6H14N4O2
Molecular Weight: 174.20
Percent Composition: C 41.37%, H 8.10%, N 32.16%, O 18.37%
Literature References: An essential amino acid for human development. Precursor for nitric oxide,
q.v. Isoln from etiolated lupine seedlings: E. Schulze, E. Steiger,
Ber. 19, 1177 (1886). Early chemistry and biochemistry:
Amino Acids and Proteins, D. M. Greenberg, Ed. (Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, IL, 1951) 950 pp.,
passim; J. P. Greenstein, M. Winitz,
Chemistry of the Amino Acids vols 1-3 (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1961) pp. 1841-1855,
passim. Quick isoln from gelatin: R. M. Kothari,
J. Chromatogr. 90, 359 (1974). Fluorometric determn in serum: T. Miura
et al., Anal. Biochem. 139, 432 (1984). Review of biosynthesis: M. E. Jones,
Adv. Enzyme Regul. 9, 19-49 (1970). Review of biochemistry, physiology and therapeutic implication: A. Barbul,
J. Parenter. Enteral Nutr. 10, 227-238 (1986). Review of immune function:
idem, Nutrition 6, 53-62 (1990). Review of arginine:nitric oxide pathway: S. Moncada, A. Higgs,
N. Engl. J. Med. 329, 2002-2012 (1993); R. M. J. Palmer,
Curr. Opin. Nephrol. Hypertens. 2, 122-128 (1993). Review of structural role in proteins: C. L. Borders
et al., Protein Sci. 3, 541-548 (1994). Review of role in health and renal disease: A. A. Reyes
et al., Am. J. Physiol. 267, F331-F346 (1994).
Properties: Prisms containing 2 mol H2O from water; anhydrous monoclinic plates from 66% alcohol. The dihydrate becomes anhydr at 105°, browns at 230°. Dec 244°. [a]D20 +26.9° (c = 1.65 in 6.0
N HCl); [a]D20 +12.5° (c = 3.5 in water); [a]D20 +11.8° (c = 0.87 in 0.5
N NaOH). pK1 2.17; pK2 9.04; pK3 12.48. Absorption spectrum: Castille, Ruppol,
Bull. Soc. Chim. Biol. 10, 643 (1928);
Chem. Zentralbl. 1928, II, 622. The satd aq soln contains 15% (w/w) at 21°. Sparingly sol in alc. Insol in ether. Strongly alkaline, its aq solns absorb CO2 from the air.
pKa: pK1 2.17; pK2 9.04; pK3 12.48
Optical Rotation: [a]D20 +26.9° (c = 1.65 in 6.0
N HCl); [a]D20 +12.5° (c = 3.5 in water); [a]D20 +11.8° (c = 0.87 in 0.5
N NaOH)
Derivative Type: Hydrochloride
CAS Registry Number: 1119-34-2
Trademarks: R-Gene (Pharmacia & Upjohn)
Molecular Formula: C6H14N4O2.HCl
Molecular Weight: 210.66
Percent Composition: C 34.21%, H 7.18%, N 26.60%, O 15.19%, Cl 16.83%
Properties: Plates, prisms from alc. Sinters at 218°, solidifies again at 225°. Dec 235°. [a]D20 +12.0° (c = 4). [a]D21 +21.9° (c = 12 in dil HCl). Sol in water, slightly sol in hot alc.
Optical Rotation: [a]D20 +12.0° (c = 4); [a]D21 +21.9° (c = 12 in dil HCl)
Therap-Cat: Ammonia detoxicant (hepatic failure); diagnostic aid (pituitary function).
Keywords: Diagnostic Aid.