Tryptophan

l-Tryptophan

Skeletal formula of L-tryptophan
Names
IUPAC name
Tryptophan
Systematic IUPAC name
(2S)-2-amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid
Other names
2-Amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.723
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C11H12N2O2/c12-9(11(14)15)5-7-6-13-10-4-2-1-3-8(7)10/h1-4,6,9,13H,5,12H2,(H,14,15)/t9-/m0/s1 Y
    Key: QIVBCDIJIAJPQS-VIFPVBQESA-N Y
  • c1[nH]c2ccccc2c1C[C@H](N)C(=O)O
  • Zwitterion: c1[nH]c2ccccc2c1C[C@H]([NH3+])C(=O)[O-]
Properties
C11H12N2O2
Molar mass 204.229 g·mol−1
Soluble: 0.23 g/L at 0 °C,

11.4 g/L at 25 °C,
17.1 g/L at 50 °C,
27.95 g/L at 75 °C

Solubility Soluble in hot alcohol, alkali hydroxides; insoluble in chloroform.
Acidity (pKa) 2.38 (carboxyl), 9.39 (amino)
-132.0·10−6 cm3/mol
Pharmacology
N06AX02 (WHO)
Supplementary data page
Tryptophan (data page)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Tryptophan (symbol Trp or W) is an α-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. Tryptophan contains an α-amino group, an α-carboxylic acid group, and a side chain indole, making it a polar molecule with a non-polar aromatic beta carbon substituent. Tryptophan is also a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, the hormone melatonin, and vitamin B3. It is encoded by the codon UGG.

Like other amino acids, tryptophan is a zwitterion at physiological pH where the amino group is protonated (–NH+
3
; pKa = 9.39) and the carboxylic acid is deprotonated ( –COO; pKa = 2.38).

Humans and many animals cannot synthesize tryptophan: they need to obtain it through their diet, making it an essential amino acid. In 2023, the emission spectrum of tryptophan was discovered in the interstellar gas of the star cluster IC 348.

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