The molecule is an amino acid zwitterion obtained by transfer of a proton from the carboxy to the amino group of 8-amino-3,8-dideoxy-alpha-D-manno-octulosonic acid; major species at pH 7.3. It is a tautomer of an 8-amino-3,8-dideoxy-alpha-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid.
(2R,4R,5R,6R)-6-[(1R)-2-azaniumyl-1-hydroxyethyl]-2,4,5-trihydroxyoxane-2-carboxylate