Chemical Identity and Structure

3-Methyl-2-Ureido-Butyric Acid is a branched-chain organic compound bearing two key functional groups: a ureido moiety (–NH–CO–NH₂) at the alpha carbon and a terminal carboxylic acid (–COOH). The methyl substituent at the 3-position introduces a chiral center and steric character reminiscent of isoleucine or valine analogues, making this molecule structurally distinct from simple alpha-amino acids.

The compound belongs to the broader class of ureido amino acid derivatives, which are characterized by replacement of the standard alpha-amino group (–NH₂) with a ureido group. This substitution modifies hydrogen-bonding capacity, polarity, and reactivity relative to the parent amino acid, which has implications for its behavior in both chemical and biological systems.

Laboratory Handling and Storage Recommendations

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): When handling 3-Methyl-2-Ureido-Butyric Acid, standard laboratory precautions apply. Wear appropriate gloves (nitrile recommended), a laboratory coat, and safety goggles. Avoid inhalation of dust if working with the solid form.

Storage: Store the compound in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated location, away from incompatible materials such as strong oxidizers and strong bases. Refrigerated storage (2–8 °C) is generally recommended for long-term stability of amino acid derivatives; confirm optimal conditions from the product specification sheet provided with SKU C1058534.

Solubility and Solution Preparation: Ureido amino acid derivatives are typically soluble in polar solvents such as water (at appropriate pH), DMSO, and methanol. Prepare stock solutions fresh or aliquot and store frozen to minimize hydrolysis or degradation. Filter-sterilize aqueous solutions if required for cell-based assays.

Waste Disposal: Dispose of waste in accordance with your institution's chemical waste management guidelines and applicable local regulations.

Research Applications

Organic Synthesis Building Block: The bifunctional nature of 3-Methyl-2-Ureido-Butyric Acid — with both a ureido group and a carboxylic acid — makes it a versatile intermediate for the preparation of more complex molecules. It can be employed in the synthesis of ureido peptides, hydantoins, or other heterocyclic scaffolds through condensation and cyclization reactions.

Biochemical and Pharmacological Research: Ureido amino acid derivatives are of interest in medicinal chemistry as non-natural amino acid surrogates that can modulate enzyme–substrate interactions or serve as transition-state analogues. Researchers working on enzyme inhibition, structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies, or metabolic pathway investigations may find this compound relevant as a probe or reference standard.

Compound Library Construction: As a structural analogue of natural branched-chain amino acids carrying a urea pharmacophore, 3-Methyl-2-Ureido-Butyric Acid is suitable for incorporation into diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) libraries targeting urea-binding proteins or enzymes with hydrophobic substrate pockets.

Quality, Purity, and Ordering Information

Specification and Purity: Aladdin Scientific supplies 3-Methyl-2-Ureido-Butyric Acid under SKU C1058534. Researchers should refer to the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) provided with each lot for confirmed purity, appearance, and analytical data (e.g., HPLC purity, NMR confirmation). Contact Aladdin Scientific technical support for lot-specific documentation.

Ordering: This product can be ordered directly through the Aladdin Scientific online platform. Custom quantities or bulk pricing may be available; contact the sales team for quotations. Ensure export/import compliance if shipping internationally.

Quality Assurance: All Aladdin Scientific reagents are subject to internal quality control procedures. For critical applications, users are encouraged to perform independent verification of purity and identity using orthogonal analytical techniques such as LC-MS or ¹H NMR prior to use in sensitive assays.