The molecule is a quadruply-charged organic cation arising from protonation of the four amino groups of kanamycin A; major species at pH 7.3. It has a role as a bacterial metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a kanamycin A.
[(1R,2S,3R,4R,5S)-5-azaniumyl-2-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-4-azaniumyl-3,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-4-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-6-(azaniumylmethyl)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-3-hydroxycyclohexyl]azanium