The molecule is a hydroxyimidazole that has an imidazole core with carboxymethyl, 1-aminoethyl, methyl and hydroxy groups at the 1-, 2-, 4- and 5-positions respectively (the S enantiomer). It is a primary amino compound, a hydroxyimidazole, a member of imidazoles and a monocarboxylic acid.
2-[2-[(1S)-1-aminoethyl]-5-hydroxy-4-methylimidazol-1-yl]acetic acid