Pterin

Pterin
Names
IUPAC names
2-Aminopteridin-4(3H)-one
(one of many tautomers; see text)
Other names
Pteridoxamine
Pterine
4-Oxopterin
2-Amino-4-pteridone
2-Amino-4-hydroxypteridine
2-Amino-4-oxopteridine
2-aminopteridin-4-ol
2-Amino-4-pteridinol
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.017.091 Edit this at Wikidata
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C6H5N5O/c7-6-10-4-3(5(12)11-6)8-1-2-9-4/h1-2H,(H3,7,9,10,11,12) checkY
    Key: HNXQXTQTPAJEJL-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C6H5N5O/c7-6-10-4-3(5(12)11-6)8-1-2-9-4/h1-2H,(H3,7,9,10,11,12)
    Key: HNXQXTQTPAJEJL-UHFFFAOYAD
  • O=C2\N=C(/Nc1nccnc12)N
Properties
C6H5N5O
Molar mass 163.137
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
☒N verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Pterin is a heterocyclic compound composed of a pteridine ring system, with a "keto group" (a lactam) and an amino group on positions 4 and 2 respectively. It is structurally related to the parent bicyclic heterocycle called pteridine. Pterins, as a group, are compounds related to pterin with additional substituents. Pterin itself is of no biological significance.

Pterins were first discovered in the pigments of butterfly wings[1] (hence the origin of their name, from the Greek pteron (πτερόν),[2] wing) and perform many roles in coloration in the biological world.

  1. ^ Wijnen B, Leertouwer HL, Stavenga DG (December 2007). "Colors and pterin pigmentation of pierid butterfly wings" (PDF). Journal of Insect Physiology. 53 (12): 1206–1217. doi:10.1016/j.jinsphys.2007.06.016. PMID 17669418. S2CID 13787442.
  2. ^ πτερόν. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project