Reported in EPA TSCA Inventory.

The IUPAC name of this chemical is 4-aminobutanoic acid. With the CAS registry number 56-12-2, it is also named as Gammalone. The product's categorie are pharmaceutical raw materials; starting raw materials & intermediates; amino acids; biochemistry; non-proteinorganic amino acids; omega-aminocarboxylic acids; omega-functional alkanols, carboxylic acids, amines & halides; amino acids; food additives; GABA. It is white microcrystalline powder which is easily soluble in water, slightly soluble in hot ethanol, insoluble in cold ethanol, ether and benzene. Additionally, this chemical is sealed in the container and stored in the cool and dry place.

The other characteristics of this product can be summarized as: (1)ACD/BCF (pH 5.5): 1; (2)ACD/BCF (pH 7.4): 1; (3)ACD/KOC (pH 5.5): 1; (4)ACD/KOC (pH 7.4): 1; (5)#H bond acceptors: 3; (6)#H bond donors: 3; (7)#Freely Rotating Bonds: 4; (8)Index of Refraction: 1.465; (9)Molar Refractivity: 25.68 cm³; (10)Molar Volume: 92.866 cm³; (11)Polarizability: 10.18×10^-24 cm³; (12)Surface Tension: 46.208 dyne/cm; (13)Enthalpy of Vaporization: 53.425 kJ/mol; (14)Boiling Point: 247.985 °C at 760 mmHg; (15)Vapour Pressure: 0.008 mmHg at 25°C; (16)Rotatable Bond Count: 3; (17)Exact Mass: 103.063329; (18)MonoIsotopic Mass: 103.063329; (19)Topological Polar Surface Area: 63.3; (20)Heavy Atom Count: 7; (21)Complexity: 62.7.

Preparation of 4-Aminobutyric acid: It can be obtained by the ring opening of pyrrolidone. Digested quick lime to lime milk with distilled water, suction into the hydrolysis reactor, adding pyrrolidone, heating to 125-130 °C and the reaction pressure is maintained at 0.29MPa. Reacting above 10-14h at this temperature. After the reaction, cooling to 30 °C, filtered, and washed by distilled water. Adding ammonium bicarbonate to filtrate until no calcium ion detection. Adding activated carbon to decolorize 30min at 80 °C. Evaporated to precipitate crystals at 60 °C. Adding ethanol, cooling, filtration and drying, then we can get the product. The yield is 85%.

Uses of 4-Aminobutyric acid: It is not only used as pharmaceutical intermediate, but also used in biochemical research. And it has effect of lowering blood lipids that can be used in the treatment and prevention of various types of hepatic coma. In addition, it reacts with phthalic acid anhydride to get 4-phthalimido-butyric acid. This reaction needs reagent Et₃N and solvent toluene by heating. The reaction time is 2 hours. The yield is 82%.

When you are using this chemical, please be cautious about it as the following:
It is not only harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed, but also irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. If you want to contact this product, you must wear suitable protective clothing.

People can use the following data to convert to the molecule structure.
1. SMILES:C(CC(=O)O)CN
2. InChI:InChI=1/C4H9NO2/c5-3-1-2-4(6)7/h1-3,5H2,(H,6,7) 
3. InChIKey:BTCSSZJGUNDROE-UHFFFAOYAC

The following are the toxicity data which has been tested.