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3D molecular model illustrating the chemical structure of pramiracetam

What Is The Chemical Structure Of Pramiracetam For Research Reference?

Written By: Neat Digital, Research Content Writer

Reviewed By: Natalie Kunsman, M.D., Board-Certified Physician

Last Reviewed: July 7, 2026

A Nordic Chems research-reference guide. For laboratory research and educational purposes only. Not for human consumption.

Pramiracetam is a synthetic racetam-class chemical with the molecular formula C14H27N3O2, a molecular weight of roughly 269.38 g/mol, and CAS number 68497-62-1. Its chemical structure joins three building blocks: a 2-oxopyrrolidinone (pyrrolidone) ring, an acetamide linker, and a diisopropylaminoethyl side chain. This arrangement makes pramiracetam a fat-soluble structural relative of piracetam, set apart by the bulky diisopropylamino group that raises its lipophilicity. The reference below is provided strictly for laboratory research and educational purposes. Pramiracetam supplied by Nordic Chems is intended for research use only and is not for human consumption. Use this guide to identify the molecule precisely, cross-check its structural identifiers, and document the material accurately in your research records.

Pramiracetam at a Glance

Use the quick-reference table below to confirm the core identity of the material before you begin any research protocol.

Reference field

Detail

Common name

Pramiracetam

Known synonyms

Amacetam, CI-879, Pramistar (brand designation)

Chemical class

Racetam (2-oxopyrrolidinone derivative)

Molecular formula

C14H27N3O2

Molecular weight

approximately 269.38 g/mol

CAS number

68497-62-1

PubChem CID

51712

IUPAC name

N-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl]-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide

Physical form

crystalline solid (as described in reference sources)

Water solubility

practically insoluble

Solubility in DMSO

about 54 mg/mL at 25 C


Reading the Molecular Formula: C14H27N3O2

The molecular formula tells you exactly what the pramiracetam molecule contains: fourteen carbon atoms, twenty-seven hydrogen atoms, three nitrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms. Together these produce a molecular weight of approximately 269.38 g/mol.

The three nitrogen atoms are the most informative part of the formula for identification work, because each sits in a different chemical environment. One nitrogen anchors the five-membered ring, one forms the central amide bond, and one occupies the tertiary amine at the tip of the side chain. The two oxygen atoms are equally distinct: one belongs to the ring carbonyl (the lactam), and the other belongs to the amide carbonyl that links the two halves of the molecule. Recognizing this distribution helps researchers interpret spectral data and confirm identity against a reference standard.

The 2-Oxopyrrolidinone Core: The Racetam Backbone

At the heart of pramiracetam sits a 2-oxopyrrolidinone ring, also written as pyrrolidin-2-one or 2-oxopyrrolidine. This is a five-membered ring containing four carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom, with a carbonyl (C=O) at the 2-position that makes it a cyclic amide, or lactam.

This ring is the signature scaffold of the entire racetam family. Piracetam, aniracetam, oxiracetam, and phenylpiracetam all share the same 2-oxopyrrolidinone nucleus. When you identify this ring in a structure, you are looking at the defining feature that places a molecule in the racetam category. In pramiracetam, the ring nitrogen (position 1) serves as the attachment point for the rest of the structure.

The Acetamide Bridge

Extending from the ring nitrogen is an acetamide bridge, an arrangement written as 2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide. In plain structural terms, a methylene group (CH2) connects the ring nitrogen to a carbonyl, which in turn connects to an amide nitrogen.

This 2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide fragment is, on its own, the complete structure of piracetam, the parent chemical of the racetam series. That point is useful for research reference: pramiracetam is essentially the piracetam skeleton carrying an additional substituent on the amide nitrogen. The bridge is the hinge that connects the conserved racetam core to the feature that makes pramiracetam distinctive.

The Diisopropylaminoethyl Side Chain: The Distinguishing Feature

Where piracetam ends in a simple primary amide (a terminal NH2), pramiracetam continues. Attached to the amide nitrogen is an N-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] group. This side chain consists of a two-carbon ethylene bridge (CH2CH2) that leads to a tertiary amine nitrogen, which itself carries two isopropyl groups.

This bulky, carbon-rich, nonpolar side chain is the single most important structural detail for telling pramiracetam apart from other racetams. It adds substantial hydrophobic surface area to the molecule and introduces a basic tertiary amine. Both features shift the physical behavior of the material significantly, which is why pramiracetam behaves so differently from its water-soluble parent.

How the Structure Compares With Piracetam

Placing the two structures side by side clarifies the relationship.

Feature

Piracetam

Pramiracetam

Core ring

2-oxopyrrolidinone

2-oxopyrrolidinone

Linker

acetamide

acetamide

Amide nitrogen substituent

none (primary amide, NH2)

2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl group

Molecular formula

C6H10N2O2

C14H27N3O2

Behavior in water

water-soluble

practically insoluble


The takeaway for structural analysis is direct: pramiracetam is piracetam plus a diisopropylaminoethyl group on the amide nitrogen. That single modification roughly doubles the molecular weight and converts a water-loving molecule into a fat-soluble one. This is a classic example of a structure-property relationship, where adding nonpolar groups redirects solubility toward organic solvents.

Researcher confirming a molecular structure and identifiers

Structural Identifiers for Research Reference

Record the following identifiers when logging pramiracetam in laboratory documentation. Machine-readable strings such as SMILES and the InChIKey let you confirm identity in cheminformatics software and databases without ambiguity.

  • IUPAC name: N-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl]-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide

  • Molecular formula: C14H27N3O2

  • Molecular weight: approximately 269.38 g/mol

  • CAS number: 68497-62-1

  • PubChem CID: 51712

  • Canonical SMILES: CC(C)N(CCNC(=O)CN1CCCC1=O)C(C)C

  • InChIKey: ZULJGOSFKWFVRX-UHFFFAOYSA-N

  • Synonyms: Amacetam, CI-879, Pramistar (brand designation)

White crystalline solid form of a racetam research chemical in a laboratory

Physical and Chemical Characteristics Tied to the Structure

The structure predicts the behavior. Reference sources describe pramiracetam as a crystalline solid. Because of the lipophilic diisopropylaminoethyl side chain, the material is practically insoluble in water yet dissolves readily in organic solvents, with reported solubility of about 54 mg/mL in DMSO at 25 C. Researchers preparing stock samples therefore typically reach for an organic solvent rather than an aqueous buffer.

The tertiary amine in the side chain gives the molecule a basic site, which is relevant when considering salt formation and analysis by mass spectrometry, where it readily accepts a proton. The two carbonyl groups and the amide N-H provide characteristic signals in infrared and NMR analysis, giving researchers reliable structural handles for confirmation. Keeping these structural features in mind supports accurate identification, purity assessment, and correct interpretation of analytical results.

It is also worth noting for reference that pramiracetam contains no stereocenters, so the molecule is achiral and exists as a single structural form rather than as separate enantiomers. This simplifies characterization, because optical rotation measurements and chiral separation are not needed to confirm identity. The molecular formula, the connectivity captured in the SMILES string, and the spectral fingerprint together are enough to establish that the material matches the intended structure.

Free Base and Salt Forms: A Structural Note

Pramiracetam is most often referenced as the free base described throughout this guide, carrying CAS number 68497-62-1. A hydrochloride salt form is also documented in chemical references, reported under CAS number 75733-50-5. The two forms share the same core structure, but the salt form pairs the basic tertiary amine with hydrochloric acid, which alters properties such as water solubility, appearance, and handling behavior.

Because these forms are not interchangeable in analytical records, confirm which one you are working with by checking the certificate of analysis and the stated molecular weight before you begin. The free base and the salt form will report different molecular weights and slightly different physical characteristics, so matching the correct value to the correct form is an important verification step. Recording the exact form keeps your documentation precise and your research reproducible.

Gloved researcher documenting a research chemical sample

Why Structural Knowledge Matters in a Research Setting

Knowing the exact structure is the foundation of rigorous laboratory work. Use the structural identifiers above to verify that the material you receive matches the intended molecule. Cross-check the certificate of analysis, compare analytical results such as HPLC, NMR, and mass spectrometry against the reference structure, and confirm that the molecular weight and formula align before beginning any research protocol.

Accurate structural knowledge also supports reproducibility. When you document the SMILES, InChIKey, and CAS number in your records, other researchers can identify the exact material you studied. This precision is what separates well-controlled research from ambiguous results.

Amber laboratory vials stored in a cool, dry, controlled environment

Handling and Storage Considerations for Laboratory Reference

Treat pramiracetam as a research material at all times. Store it in a cool, dry environment, sealed and protected from light and moisture, consistent with general practice for organic research materials. Handle it in a controlled laboratory setting using appropriate personal protective equipment, including gloves, eye protection, and a laboratory coat. Label containers clearly with the chemical name, CAS number, and research-use designation. These steps protect sample integrity and support safe, well-documented research.

Research-Use Disclaimer

Pramiracetam offered by Nordic Chems is sold strictly for laboratory research and educational purposes only. It is not for human consumption, not for animal consumption, and not intended for any diagnostic, therapeutic, or clinical use. This article is provided for informational and educational reference regarding chemical structure and does not constitute medical, health, or usage guidance of any kind. Anyone handling this material is responsible for complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and institutional guidelines in their jurisdiction.

Conclusion

Understanding the chemical structure of pramiracetam gives researchers a precise foundation for accurate identification and rigorous documentation. The molecule, with formula C14H27N3O2 and CAS number 68497-62-1, is built on the familiar 2-oxopyrrolidinone racetam core, joined through an acetamide bridge to a distinctive diisopropylaminoethyl side chain. That side chain is the key structural feature, transforming a water-soluble piracetam skeleton into a fat-soluble research material with a clear analytical fingerprint. By recording the molecular formula, molecular weight, IUPAC name, SMILES, and InChIKey, research teams can confirm identity, verify purity against a certificate of analysis, and ensure reproducible results. 

Nordic Chems supplies pramiracetam strictly for laboratory research and educational purposes, never for human consumption. Use the structural reference in this guide to document the material correctly, handle it responsibly, and support well-controlled scientific investigation. This precision underpins credible, repeatable, and well-governed research. Keep it on hand so every experiment starts from verified data.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the molecular formula and molecular weight of pramiracetam?

Pramiracetam has the molecular formula C14H27N3O2 and a molecular weight of approximately 269.38 g/mol. It carries the CAS number 68497-62-1 and PubChem CID 51712. Record these identifiers in your laboratory documentation and cross-check them against the certificate of analysis for the material you receive.

2. What are the three structural parts of the pramiracetam molecule?

The pramiracetam molecule has three parts: a 2-oxopyrrolidinone (pyrrolidone) ring that forms the racetam core, an acetamide bridge extending from the ring nitrogen, and a diisopropylaminoethyl side chain attached to the amide nitrogen. The side chain is the feature that distinguishes pramiracetam from other racetams.

3. How does the chemical structure of pramiracetam differ from piracetam?

Pramiracetam shares piracetam's 2-oxopyrrolidinone core and acetamide bridge, but it adds a diisopropylaminoethyl group to the amide nitrogen where piracetam has a simple primary amide. This modification increases the molecular formula from C6H10N2O2 to C14H27N3O2 and shifts the material from water-soluble to fat-soluble.

4. Why is pramiracetam fat-soluble rather than water-soluble?

The diisopropylaminoethyl side chain adds a large nonpolar, carbon-rich region to the molecule. This hydrophobic surface makes pramiracetam practically insoluble in water while it dissolves readily in organic solvents such as DMSO, at about 54 mg/mL at 25 C. It is a clear example of structure directly shaping physical behavior.

5. Is pramiracetam from Nordic Chems intended for human use?

No. Pramiracetam supplied by Nordic Chems is intended strictly for laboratory research and educational purposes only. It is not for human consumption, not for animal consumption, and not for any diagnostic or therapeutic application. Always handle it as a research material and follow all applicable regulations and institutional guidelines.

Disclaimer: The information above is provided for research and educational purposes only. Pramiracetam is a research material and is not for human consumption, not for use in food, and not offered as a medicine or treatment for any condition. Nothing here should be read as encouragement to use this material outside of a controlled, lawful, and ethically approved laboratory setting.

Researcher reviewing Pramiracetam safety data sheet at laboratory bench with first-aid equipment

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