Quote
Chemical structure of L-Leucine | 61-90-5
CAS: 61-90-5
SKU: S3395
L-Leucine | SKU: S3395
Synonyms:2-Amino-4-methylpentanoic acid; L-α-Leucine; (S)-2-Amino-4-methylpentanoic acid
Chemical structure of L-Leucine | 61-90-5
L-Leucine is an essential branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) that Sarchem Labs supplies as a white-to-off-white crystalline powder for nutritional, pharmaceutical, and cell-culture applications. As the most potent of the three BCAAs at stimulating muscle protein synthesis, it’s a cornerstone ingredient in sports-nutrition and clinical nutrition formulations. Every lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis and Safety Data Sheet.
Request Quote — S3395

Specifications

Melting Point286–288°C (per Sarchem's existing published data — see discrepancy note below)
ColorWhite to off-white
Linear Formula(CH3)2CHCH2CH(NH2)CO2H
Formula Weight131.17
Physical FormPowder
Chemical Name or MaterialL-Leucine
Molecular Weight131.17 g/mol
SMILES StringCC(C)C[C@H](N)C(O)=O
Specific Rotation'+ 15.40
Solubility InformationSolubility in water: 22.4g/L (20°C). Other solubilities: 10.9g/L acetic acid, slightly soluble in alcohol, insoluble in ether
Total Trace Metal ImpuritiesEssentially free of isoleucine and methionine
Specific Rotation Condition'+ 15.40 (20.00°C c=4, 6N HCl)
Sublimation Point145.0 °C
CAS Number61-90-5
EC Number200-522-0
NACRESNA.26
PubChem Substance ID24896488
UNSPSC Code12352209
MDL NumberMFCD00002617
InChI1S/C6H13NO2/c1-4(2)3-5(7)6(8)9/h4-5H,3,7H2,1-2H3,(H,8,9)/t5-/m0/s1
InChI KeyROHFNLRQFUQHCH-YFKPBYRVSA-N
eCl@ss32160406
Beilstein/REAXYS Number1721722
Quality Level200
Reference GradeReagent grade, ≥98% (HPLC)

Applications

Sports-nutrition and dietary-supplement formulation (BCAA raw material)
Clinical/parenteral nutrition formulations
Cell culture media component
Ligand-binding assay applications
Biochemical research into muscle protein synthesis pathways (mTOR signaling)

Product Description

What is L-Leucine?

L-Leucine is one of the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), distinguished by an isobutyl side chain that makes it strongly hydrophobic. Among the BCAAs, it’s uniquely potent at activating the mTOR signaling pathway, the central regulator of muscle protein synthesis — a property that has made it a focal ingredient in sports-nutrition science. It’s a non-glucogenic essential amino acid, meaning its metabolic breakdown leads to ketone-body formation rather than glucose production.

Uses of L-Leucine

L-Leucine is a cornerstone raw material in sports-nutrition and dietary-supplement formulations, often supplied alongside isoleucine and valine as part of a BCAA blend, and it’s also used in clinical/parenteral nutrition products. It serves as a standard cell-culture media component, a reagent suitable for ligand-binding assay work, and is widely used in biochemical research investigating muscle protein synthesis, insulin release, and mTOR pathway signaling.

Safety Information

*This reference listing carries no GHS hazard pictogram or hazard statement — it is not classified as GHS-hazardous.*

  • Storage Class: 11 – Combustible Solids
  • PPE: Eyeshields, gloves, dust mask (type N95) as standard good-handling practice

Related Products

No related products found.

Other Products

FAQs: L-Leucine

Mainly as a BCAA raw material in sports-nutrition and dietary supplements, in clinical/parenteral nutrition, and as a cell-culture media and biochemical research reagent.

It uniquely and potently activates the mTOR signaling pathway, the body's central regulator of muscle protein synthesis, more strongly than the other two BCAAs (isoleucine and valine).

Yes — the body cannot synthesize it, so it must come from diet or supplementation.

61-90-5, C6H13NO2, molecular weight 131.17 g/mol.

Yes, for every lot (SKU S3395).