Long before molecular biology sped up research in pharmaceuticals, chemists in the early 1900s explored heterocyclic compounds with open-minded curiosity. Among these emerged imidazole derivatives – a family recognized for their versatility in both lab experiments and practical applications. 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide, a tiny yet mighty molecule, came into sharper focus in the 1950s. Initially, researchers hoped to learn more about purine biosynthesis, a pathway crucial for DNA, RNA, and energy-related biological processes. As the years rolled on, scientists unraveled the link between this compound and its analogs (like AICAR), recognizing the role it played not just as an intermediate, but as a tool for probing cellular energy sensors, especially AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Lab benches everywhere started to welcome this compound, not just as a lab curiosity but as an essential component for unlocking life’s complex, biochemical puzzles.
5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide shows up in many chemistry catalogs today. Its profile fits research labs, especially those focusing on biochemistry, pharmacology, and organic synthesis. This compound often comes as a crystalline powder, sometimes paired with hydrochloride salt for improved solubility. Reliable suppliers list both analytical and technical grades, giving researchers confidence that material quality won’t derail an experiment. Each order usually brings detailed Certificates of Analysis, reflecting traceability and quality standards. Handling instructions highlight the need for precision, which isn’t surprising given the molecule’s responsiveness under both acidic and basic conditions.
The physical world rarely glosses over minor changes, and this stands true for 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide. This molecule has the formula C4H6N4O, giving it a modest molecular weight of about 126.12 grams per mole. Its crystalline nature gives it a relatively firm white to off-white appearance in the lab. Melting points land around 210–215°C, which matters when researchers seek purification or analyze stability. Chemically, the imidazole ring often draws attention for its high tautomeric flexibility and potential for hydrogen bonding. Thanks to the amino and carboxamide groups, this molecule absorbs and donates electrons with surprising agility during reactions.
Ordering 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide isn’t just about asking for a white powder. Labs track batch numbers, manufacturer names, purity percentage (sometimes above 98%), storage temperature (usually under 8°C), and packaging size. Labels specify CAS Number 61-23-4, which helps cut out confusion with similar molecules. Product information from reputable suppliers reveals detailed technical sheets, tracking physical constants, and giving guidance on moisture content, residual solvents, and residual heavy metals. Lab teams look for these specifics every time, since any variability can influence experimental repeatability and accuracy.
Synthetically, making 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide usually draws on formylglycine derivatives or starts with glyoxal and guanidine salts in stepwise reactions. Commercial routes often favor scalable processes, using robust reagents such as cyanamide or amidinocyanide with formamide and logically sequenced cyclization steps. The aim here? High yield, minimal byproducts, and easy isolation of the final product. After reaction completion, crystallization pulls the compound from solution, giving chemists a way to purify and characterize the resulting crystals with high-performance liquid chromatography and melting point verification. Process optimization continues as demand grows, pushing chemists to squeeze out every gram of product while meeting strict purity and safety requirements.
Modifying this molecule opens whole new chapters of research. Its amino and carboxamide functionalities serve as hotspots for substitution, alkylation, and acylation. Nucleophilic attacks at these reactive sites allow creative synthetic chemists to add protecting groups, construct nucleoside analogs, or couple the compound with other pharmacophores. In medicinal chemistry, these modifications sometimes lead to potent enzyme inhibitors or diagnostic probes. Oxidation, reduction, and cyclization reactions further expand the chemical toolkit, offering countless offshoots for exploring biological pathways or material properties.
Not all chemistry happens with a single name on the bottle. This molecule gets listed under several aliases, including AICA, AICA base, 5-Amino-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide, and 4-Carbamoyl-5-aminoimidazole. Each is tied to the same core skeleton but may show up if a supplier stocks nucleoside forms such as AICAR (with ribose). Laboratories tracking global literature know to search for these synonyms to sweep up past findings and avoid missing crucial research, even if product catalogs or regulatory forms use different nomenclature.
Safety data sheets for 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide generally caution users about inhalation and skin contact, given that sensitivity reactions sometimes show up in workers. Standard protective measures – gloves, eye protection, and lab coats – stay on whenever the compound leaves its container. Waste byproducts from synthesis and modification require proper disposal in line with chemical regulations and local laws. Spills get contained quickly to keep bench areas free from contamination. Inventory checks matter, since expired materials might degrade, introducing uncertain risks or experimental variables.
Lab teams make good use of this compound, especially in biochemistry and pharmacology. Researchers often use it as a precursor for generating AICAR, a metabolic intermediate for purine biosynthesis studies. In metabolic research, its capacity to activate AMPK gives valuable insight into diseases ranging from Type 2 diabetes to cancer. Pharmaceutical development projects use its structure as a launchpad for synthesizing drug candidates targeting nucleotide synthesis or metabolic disorders. Assays using radio-tagged or modified versions track everything from enzyme activity to cell proliferation. Some researchers move beyond health applications, experimenting with this molecule for agricultural stress tolerance and even material science investigations.
Beyond routine laboratory analysis, research explores countless branches set off by 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide. In university labs and biotech ventures, graduate students and postdocs run projects examining the compound’s chemistry and biological effects. Major pharmaceutical firms leverage high-throughput screening to identify derivatives that shift metabolic pathways sympathetically. Basic science research leans on its ability to mimic purine intermediates, shedding light on ancient evolutionary patterns as well as modern disease mechanisms. Each breakthrough feeds another, sometimes inspiring new patent filings or clinical studies that test derivatives in preclinical animal models.
Toxicology work surrounds every chemical with both practical concerns and broader implications. Animal models reveal that high levels of 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide or its analogs may lead to metabolic stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, or off-target effects in cellular respiration. These outcomes often depend on dose and exposure duration. In most academic studies, careful dosing protocols and analytical tracking keep risk profiles manageable. Human exposure info remains limited, apart from controlled or accidental lab scenarios, but ongoing toxicology screens help researchers set safe handling standards and identify potentially harmful breakdown products. Regulatory authorities in the European Union and North America flag the compound for good laboratory practice controls, but haven’t listed it as a high-risk chemical for common research use.
Interest in 5-Amino Imidazole-4-Carboxamide keeps rising, driven by health research that probes ever deeper into cellular energy balance and disease resistance. Pharmaceutical developers continue looking for smarter, more targeted ways to engage the AMPK pathway, which could open doors to treatments for metabolic syndromes, certain cancers, and rare genetic disorders. Technology improvements in high-throughput synthesis and computational modeling may speed up discovery of novel derivatives. Startups and public agencies tend to prioritize these avenues, convinced that the unknowns hold solutions to some of medicine’s oldest puzzles. Environmental scientists speculate about its utility for studying stress responses in crops or for bioremediation applications, banking on its resilience and adaptability. For someone who started in basic academic labs, it’s encouraging to see a chemical once considered routine take on a starring role in so many new research stories.
