Crystal and molecular structure of sarcosine

The crystal structure of sarcosine in pure form has been determined at low temperature (135 K). The crystals are othorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with unit cell dimensions a = 6.687(2) A, b = 7.899(3) A, c = 8.607(3) A. On the basis of 988 reflections with intensities larger than 3 sigma (I) the structure was refined to a conventional R-factor of 0.034 to give e.s.d. in bond lengths of 0.002 A and 0.2 degrees in angles. The molecule is extended and exists in the zwitterionic form. There is a small deviation from planarity in the alpha-amino acid group as well as in the main chain.