Leucine (C6H13NO2) - Multi-Color 3D Molecule Model

Leucine (C6H13NO2) - Multi-Color 3D Molecular Model (Space-Filling Spheres)

An accurate, educational 3D printable model of Leucine (C6H13NO2) in classic Space-Filling (van der Waals / CPK Spheres) style. Ideal for chemistry classrooms, students, researchers, science educators, or as a vibrant desk display.

Printed in a single piece using multi-material systems (Prusa MMU3, Bambu AMS, Toolchangers) — no gluing or assembly required!

Generated with the web tool 3D Print Molecules.

🧪 About the Molecule

Leucine is an essential branched-chain amino acid recognized as the primary molecular trigger for muscle protein synthesis.

• Chemical Formula: C6H13NO2

• IUPAC / Common Name: Leucine

• Structure Coordinates: pubchem

💡 Did You Know?

Leucine is the undisputed king of muscle anabolism! Reaching the 'leucine threshold' (~3 grams in a meal) activates the master mTOR kinase complex, which physically signals your ribosomes to begin constructing new muscle tissue!

🌟 Real-World Uses & Fascinating Facts

• 🏋 Anabolic Powerhouse: The primary functional ingredient in whey protein and BCAA supplements, formulated with ratios like 2:1:1 or 4:1:1 loaded in favor of leucine.

• 👴 Sarcopenia Defense: Clinically used in gerontology to preserve muscle mass, bone density, and independence in aging adults.

• 🥩 Strictly Ketogenic: One of only two purely ketogenic amino acids (along with lysine)—it cannot be turned into glucose, breaking down exclusively into acetyl-CoA.

🧠 Biological Role & Science Notes

Leucine acts as an intracellular nutrient sensor via the Sestrin2 protein, directly releasing mTORC1 inhibition. Due to its hydrophobic isobutyl tail, leucine residues form hydrophobic locks that bind structural domains together.

🔬 Scientific Precision

• van der Waals Radii: Proportions strictly match standard physical van der Waals radii (Bondi, 1964).

• Conformational Reality: Geometry reflects the lowest-energy real-world conformation derived from computational force fields (MMFF94) and crystallographic/quantum benchmarks.

• CPK Color Standard: Colors follow the classic international Corey-Pauling-Koltun (CPK) palette.

🚀 Why Use the 3D Print Molecules Web App? (3dmolekuly.vscht.cz)

This model was generated using our web visualizer designed to make multi-color 3D printing of molecules seamless:

• 🎯 Automatic Multi-Part Mesh for Multi-Color Printing: No manual cutting or CAD modeling required. The generator automatically isolates each chemical element into separate manifold bodies so PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio, and OrcaSlicer immediately assign colors!

• 🔬 Authentic Space-Filling Volumes: Generates clean, manifold overlapping sphere volumes reflecting real molecular geometry.

• ⚙ Full Customization: Adjust atom diameters, mesh resolution, scale (mm/Å), and toggle hydrogen atoms on or off.

• 🎓 Free & Web-Based: Developed at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (VŠCHT Praha). Free to use, runs right in your browser with zero installation.

(📸 Check the web app screenshot in the photos to view the model loaded in the visualizer with the settings panel!)

🖨 Multi-Material Printing Instructions

• Style: Space-Filling Spheres (CPK)

• Assembly: None! Printed in one solid piece with multi-material systems.

• Element Color Assignments:

• Carbon (C): Black / Dark Grey

• Hydrogen (H): White

• Oxygen (O): Red

• Nitrogen (N): Blue

• Recommended Layer Height: 0.16 mm (optimal for smooth sphere curves) – 0.20 mm

• Perimeters / Walls: 3

• Infill: 15% Gyroid

• Supports: Tree / Organic supports recommended (use PETG support interface on PLA for 0mm contact distance)

💡 Support Interface Trick for Flawless Spheres

When printing PLA with multi-material units (MMU3, AMS, Toolchanger): Set your Support Interface Material to PETG with Top Z distance = 0 mm. Because PLA and PETG do not bond to each other, the organic/tree supports detach effortlessly by hand with zero surface scarring, leaving the spherical atoms perfectly smooth!

🔗 Customize Your Model or Create Any Molecule!

Need different tolerances for your printer, larger/smaller atoms, or want to export another molecule entirely?

👉 Open and customize directly in the 3D Print Molecules App

Created with ❤ at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (VŠCHT Praha) • 3dmolekuly.vscht.cz