The molecule is a derivative of valeric acid having amino and oxo substituents at the 2- and 4-positions respectively. It is a 4-oxo monocarboxylic acid and a non-proteinogenic alpha-amino acid. It derives from a valeric acid. It is a tautomer of a 2-amino-4-oxopentanoic acid zwitterion.
2-amino-4-oxopentanoic acid