CompoundList

Canavanine

Also known as L-canavanine, Canavanin, 2-Amino-4-(guanidinooxy)butyric acid

Canavanine chemical structure, C5H12N4O3, CAS 543-38-4
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

Appearance
Crystals from absolute alcohol
Melting point
184 °C
Solubility
Very soluble in water
HS code
292800
Category
Insecticides and acaricides
Illustrative photo, closed white HDPE bottles and amber jars on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Canavanine?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

L-canavanine is a non-proteinogenic L-alpha-amino acid that is L-homoserine substituted at oxygen with a guanidino (carbamimidamido) group. Although structurally related to L-arginine, it is non-proteinogenic. It has a role as a phytogenic insecticide and a plant metabolite. It is functionally related to a L-homoserine. It is a conjugate base of a L-canavanine(1+). It is a tautomer of a L-canavanine zwitterion.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(2S)-2-amino-4-(diaminomethylideneamino)oxybutanoic acid
CAS number
543-38-4 CAS number cross-checked
EC number
624-714-2
Molecular formula
C5H12N4O3
UNII
3HZV514J4B
MDL number
MFCD00055781
InChIKey
FSBIGDSBMBYOPN-VKHMYHEASA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C5H12N4O3/c6-3(4(10)11)1-2-12-9-5(7)8/h3H,1-2,6H2,(H,10,11)(H4,7,8,9)/t3-/m0/s1
Canonical SMILES
NC(N)=NOCCC(N)C(=O)O
Isomeric SMILES
C(CON=C(N)N)[C@@H](C(=O)O)N

Synonyms

  • L-canavanine
  • Canavanin
  • 2-Amino-4-(guanidinooxy)butyric acid
  • (l)-Canavanine
  • O-((Aminoiminomethyl)amino)-L-homoserine
  • L-Homoserine, O-((aminoiminomethyl)amino)-
  • (2S)-2-amino-4-(diaminomethylideneamino)oxybutanoic acid
  • Butyric acid, 2-amino-4-(guanidinooxy)-, L-
  • O-[(Aminoiminomethyl)amino]-L-homoserine
  • (2S)-2-amino-4-(carbamimidamidooxy)butanoic acid
  • (2S)-2-azaniumyl-4-(diaminomethylideneamino)oxybutanoate
  • (S)-2-Amino-4-(guanidinooxy)butanoic acid
  • L-Alpha-amino-gamma-[guanidinooxy]-N-butyric acid
  • 2-azaniumyl-4-(diaminomethylideneamino)oxybutanoate
  • (2S)-2-amino-4-guanidinooxy-butanoic acid
  • GGB
  • L-Cav, LDN 21810
  • l-2-Amino-4-(guanidinooxy)butyric acid
  • (+)-Canavanine
  • L(+)-Canavanine
  • Tocris-0673
  • L-CAV
  • Canavanine, (+)-
  • DivK1c_000360
  • O-carbamimidamido-L-homoserine
Show all 31 synonyms
  • O-(Carbamimidoylamino)-L-homoserine
  • 2-amino-4-(guanidinoxy) butyric acid
  • Sdccgmls-0066683.p001
  • Sdccgsbi-0050308.p003
  • O-{[Amino(imino)methyl]amino}-L-homoserine
  • Butyric acid, 2-amino-4-(guanidinooxy)-, L

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Crystals from absolute alcoholexp.
Melting point
184 °Cexp.
Solubility
Very soluble in waterexp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
176.18 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
176.0909 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
-2.01calc.
Topological polar surface area
137 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
4calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
4calc.
Rotatable bonds
5calc.
Heavy atoms
12calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.6calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
1calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Warning
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant

Hazard statements

  • H302Harmful if swallowed.
  • H312Harmful in contact with skin.
  • H332Harmful if inhaled.
Precautionary statements (13)
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301 + P317If swallowed: Get medical help.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P304 + P340If inhaled: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P317Get medical help.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P330Rinse mouth.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Canavanine suppliers

Sponsored listings first, then the documented ranking: membership, verification, replies, completeness, freshness and ratings

All 11 suppliers
11 of 11 offers
  • China, ChangshaUnclaimed profile
    CanavanineGrade, purity and minimum order on request
    Price on request
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  • China, HangzhouUnclaimed profile
    CanavanineGrade, purity and minimum order on request
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  • Spain, BarcelonaUnclaimed profile
    CanavanineGrade, purity and minimum order on request
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  • China, KowloonUnclaimed profile
    CanavanineGrade, purity and minimum order on request
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  • United States, SomervilleUnclaimed profile
    CanavanineGrade, purity and minimum order on request
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  • France, OrleansUnclaimed profile
    CanavanineGrade, purity and minimum order on request
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  • China, ShanghaiUnclaimed profile
    CanavanineGrade, purity and minimum order on request
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  • Netherlands, RotterdamUnclaimed profile
    CanavanineGrade, purity and minimum order on request
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  • United States, Green BrookUnclaimed profile
    CanavanineGrade, purity and minimum order on request
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  • China, GuangZhouUnclaimed profile
    CanavanineGrade, purity and minimum order on request
    Price on request
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Suppliers marked Unclaimed profile have not claimed their profile yet. They are not verified by CompoundList, their offers are price on request and details may have changed, so please confirm them with the supplier. Company representatives can claim a profile with a business email on the company's own website domain. Our team verifies each claim and sends the result by email.

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Canavanine price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Predominantly found in leguminous plants, serves as nitrogen storage compound and defensive mechanism. Cytotoxic antimetabolite, substrate for arginyl-tRNA synthetase.

Biochemical research.

Roles

  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • insecticide
  • metabolite
  • pesticide
  • phytogenic insecticide
  • plant metabolite

How it is made

A nonprotein amino acid obtained from jack bean (SRP: Canavalia ensiformis) meal.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

No regulatory list memberships are recorded for this substance yet. Always check the rules of the importing and exporting country before trade.

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Canavanine is traded under.

HS 2928.00Indicative HS code

Organic derivatives of hydrazine or of hydroxylamine

World exports in 2024
$1.38B
−9.0% vs 2023, imports $1.52B
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Switzerland * partner reported44.0%
  2. China18.4%
  3. Italy9.4%
Top importers
  1. Brazil21.8%
  2. United States12.8%
  3. Italy10.8%

* Partner reported figures, a lower bound.

Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Canavanine is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Canavanine, based on the data on this page

What is Canavanine?

L-canavanine is a non-proteinogenic L-alpha-amino acid that is L-homoserine substituted at oxygen with a guanidino (carbamimidamido) group. Although structurally related to L-arginine, it is non-proteinogenic. It has a role as a phytogenic insecticide and a plant metabolite. It is functionally related to a L-homoserine.

What is the CAS number of Canavanine?

The CAS registry number of Canavanine is 543-38-4.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Canavanine?

The molecular formula of Canavanine is C5H12N4O3 and its molar mass is 176.18 g/mol.

What is Canavanine used for?

Predominantly found in leguminous plants, serves as nitrogen storage compound and defensive mechanism. Cytotoxic antimetabolite, substrate for arginyl-tRNA synthetase. Biochemical research.

Is Canavanine hazardous?

Canavanine carries the GHS signal word "Warning". Main hazards: harmful if swallowed, harmful in contact with skin, harmful if inhaled. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Canavanine?

Canavanine is usually classified under HS code 292800 (Organic derivatives of hydrazine or of hydroxylamine). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Canavanine?

CompoundList lists 11 suppliers of Canavanine in China, United States, Spain, France and 2 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

What is the price of Canavanine?

Suppliers quote Canavanine on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Canavanine

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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