Cadaverine
IUPAC name	pentane-1,5-diamine
Identifiers
CAS number	[462-94-2]
PubChem	273
MeSH	Cadaverine
SMILES	NCCCCCN
Properties
Molecular formula	C5H14N2
Molar mass	102.178
Density	0.870 g/cm³
Melting point	9 °C
Boiling point	178-180 °C
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Cadaverine is a foul-smelling molecule produced by protein hydrolysis during putrefaction of animal tissue. Cadaverine is a toxic^[1] diamine with the formula NH₂(CH₂)₅NH₂, which is similar to putrescine. Cadaverine is also known by the names 1,5-pentanediamine and pentamethylenediamine.

Production

Cadaverine is the decarboxylation product of the amino acid lysine.

However, this diamine is not purely associated with putrefaction. It is also produced in small quantities by living beings. It is partially responsible for the distinctive smell of urine and semen.

Toxicity

Cadaverine is toxic in large doses. In rats it had a low acute oral toxicity of more than 2000 mg/kg body weight[1].

See also

• Putrescine

Notes

References

• Lewis, Robert Alan (1998). Lewis' Dictionary of Toxicology. CRC Press. ISBN 1566702232.