Crystal structure of γ-ethyl-l-glutamate N-carb-oxy anhydride

In the title compound (alternative name N-carboxy-l-glutamic anhydride γ-ethyl ester), C8H11NO5, the oxazolidine ring is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.019 (2) Å. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the imino group and the carbonyl O atom in the ethyl ester group, forming a tape structure along the c-axis direction. The oxazolidine rings of adjacent tapes are arranged into a layer parallel to the ac plane. This arrangement is favourable for the polymerization of the title compound in the solid state.