N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid

Synonym(s):(R)-2-(Methylamino)succinic acid;NMDA;N-Methyl-D-aspartic Acid, Hydrate - CAS 6384-92-5 - Calbiochem

CAS NO.：6384-92-5
Empirical Formula: C5H9NO4
Molecular Weight: 147.13
MDL number: MFCD00004226
EINECS: 227-012-0
SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS)
Update Date: 2026-08-25 20:17:46

What is N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid?

Chemical properties

white to off-white crystalline powder

The Uses of N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid

NMDA（N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid）is a specific agonist for NMDA receptor mimicking the action of glutamate, the neurotransmitter which normally acts at that receptor.

The Uses of N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid

NMDA agonist

What are the applications of Application

N-Methyl-D-Aspartic acid (NMDA) is a definitiveionotropic NMDA receptor agonist

Definition

ChEBI: An aspartic acid derivative having an N-methyl substituent and D-configuration.

General Description

N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) is an endogenously generated molecule in rat nervous system and endocrine glands. NMDA is present at low level (nmol/g) in the adenohypophysis, hypothalamus, brain, and testis. NMDA is derived from D-Asp by an S-adenosylmethionine-dependent enzyme also referred to as NMDA synthase.

Biological Activity

Prototypic NMDA receptor agonist. Also available as part of the Mixed NMDA Receptor Tocriset™ .

Biochem/physiol Actions

Excitotoxic amino acid. Prototypic agonist at the NMDA-type glutamate receptor that regulates ion channels; important in long-term potentiation, ischemia, and epilepsy.

Storage

Room temperature

References

[1] watkins jc, jane de. the glutamate story. br j pharmacol. 2006 jan;147 suppl 1:s100-8.
[2] lafon-cazal m, pietri s, culcasi m, bockaert j. nmda-dependent superoxide production and neurotoxicity. nature. 1993 aug 5;364(6437):535-7.

Properties of N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid

Melting point:	187-192 °C
Boiling point:	267.21°C (rough estimate)
alpha	-28 º (c=1, HCl 6N)
Density	1.4285 (rough estimate)
refractive index	-15 ° (C=2, H2O)
storage temp.	Sealed in dry,Room Temperature
solubility	Aqueous Acid (Slightly), DMSO (Slightly), Water (Slightly)
form	solid
pka	2.21±0.23(Predicted)
color	white
Water Solubility	slightly soluble
Sensitive	Hygroscopic
Merck	14,6662
BRN	1724431
CAS DataBase Reference	6384-92-5(CAS DataBase Reference)

Safety information for N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid

Signal word	Danger
Pictogram(s)	Exclamation Mark Irritant GHS07 Health Hazard GHS08 Environment GHS09
GHS Hazard Statements	H319:Serious eye damage/eye irritation H372:Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure H400:Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard
Precautionary Statement Codes	P273:Avoid release to the environment. P305+P351+P338:IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing.