What Is LGD-4033?
Short answer: LGD-4033 is a nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), also called ligandrol and VK5211. PubChem CID 44137686 lists formula C14H12F6N2O and molecular weight 338.25 g/mol, with depositor synonym CAS 1165910-22-4. To buy LGD-4033 as a documented research reference, see the product page.
Key takeaways for researchers
In brief: these are the identity facts that keep LGD-4033 from being confused with steroidal androgens or with unrelated “LGD” codes.
- Nonsteroidal SARM-class ligand; common names ligandrol and VK5211 map to the same PubChem CID 44137686.
- Formula C14H12F6N2O; MW 338.25 g/mol; InChIKey OPSIVAKKLQRWKC-VXGBXAGGSA-N.
- Scaffold: pyrrolidine substituted with a trifluoro-hydroxyethyl group, linked to a 2-(trifluoromethyl)benzonitrile ring — no steroid A–D rings.
- Not a peptide and not an anabolic steroid; class reviews place it among aryl/nonsteroidal AR modulators (Dalton et al., 2013 review).
- Modern Aminos lists laboratory formats on the LGD-4033 product page; all applicable tests are performed on our products.
Research timeline
- Early 2010s — LGD-4033 appears in the peer-reviewed literature as a nonsteroidal oral SARM candidate in pharmacology and aging-research journals (Basaria et al., 2013 — cited here only for chemical-class identification, not for any human outcome).
- 2013 — Dalton and colleagues review SARM chemistry and AR-targeting rationale for nonsteroidal scaffolds (Dalton et al., 2013).
- 2015 — Analytical chemistry work characterizes internet-sourced LGD-4033 material and its in vitro metabolites for identification purposes (Thevis et al., 2015).
- Today — Supplied as laboratory reference material with third-party certificates in the product COA tab; see the LGD-4033 product page and COA Search.
Chemical identity
PubChem records LGD-4033 / VK5211 as CID 44137686. The IUPAC name on that record is 4-[(2R)-2-[(1R)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzonitrile. Two defined stereocenters sit on the pyrrolidine–hydroxyethyl junction; matching literature or lots should use the InChIKey and CAS synonym rather than informal trade names alone.
Androgen receptor engagement (class chemistry)
SARM-class ligands are nonsteroidal molecules that bind the androgen receptor (AR) ligand-binding domain. Reviews describe a binding event that alters receptor conformation and coactivator recruitment without relying on a steroidal skeleton (Dalton et al., 2013). Interpretation: LGD-4033 belongs chemically to that nonsteroidal AR-modulator set; any quantitative Ki or transcriptional EC50 must be read from the assay table of a primary paper, not invented from the class label.
Published numbers at a glance
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CAS (depositor synonym) | 1165910-22-4 | PubChem CID 44137686 |
| Formula | C14H12F6N2O | PubChem |
| Molecular weight | 338.25 g/mol | PubChem |
| Exact mass | 338.08538198 Da | PubChem |
| InChIKey | OPSIVAKKLQRWKC-VXGBXAGGSA-N | PubChem |
| XLogP3 | 3.7 | PubChem |
What this tells us: the identifiers are dense fluorine-rich small-molecule fingerprints. They are what HPLC–MS methods use to confirm identity on a certificate; they are not performance claims.
LGD-4033 compared with ostarine (MK-2866)
Both are nonsteroidal SARM-class reference compounds stocked for laboratory work, but their scaffolds differ. Ostarine (MK-2866, enobosarm) is an aryl-propionamide (see What Is Ostarine?). LGD-4033 is a pyrrolidine–benzonitrile. Comparing them side by side is a chemistry exercise (scaffold, formula, InChIKey), not a ranking of research “potency.”
Research formats and documentation
All applicable tests are performed on our products. Current formats and third-party certificates are listed on the LGD-4033 product page Certificate of Analysis tab. Lot lookup: COA Search. Background on why chromatographic identity matters: HPLC testing.
Related research tools
Related Modern Aminos reference posts include ostarine (MK-2866), YK-11, RAD-150, and cardarine (GW501516) for PPAR-δ contrast (not a SARM).
Frequently asked questions
What is LGD-4033?
LGD-4033 is a nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM), also called ligandrol and VK5211. PubChem lists it as CID 44137686 with formula C14H12F6N2O, molecular weight 338.25 g/mol, and depositor synonym CAS 1165910-22-4.
Is LGD-4033 a steroid?
No. LGD-4033 is nonsteroidal. It is built on a pyrrolidine-linked benzonitrile scaffold with trifluoromethyl groups, not a four-ring steroid nucleus. That nonsteroidal architecture is what places it in the SARM chemical class rather than among steroidal androgens.
Is ligandrol the same as LGD-4033?
Yes. Ligandrol is a common name for LGD-4033. PubChem also records VK5211 as a title/synonym for the same CID 44137686 record. Use the CAS number and InChIKey when matching lots or literature.
How does LGD-4033 engage the androgen receptor?
As a SARM-class ligand, LGD-4033 is designed to bind the androgen receptor ligand-binding domain. Reviews of nonsteroidal AR modulators describe binding that reshapes coactivator recruitment without using a steroidal scaffold. Exact Ki or IC50 values should be taken from the primary assay table in each cited paper, not inferred here.
How is LGD-4033 purity verified at Modern Aminos?
All applicable tests are performed on our products. Current third-party certificates for LGD-4033 formats are listed in the Certificate of Analysis tab on the product page and can be looked up via COA Search.
References
- Dalton JT, et al. Selective androgen receptor modulators for the prevention and treatment of muscle wasting associated with cancer. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2013. PMID 24189892 (class review; chemistry framing only).
- Basaria S, et al. The safety, pharmacokinetics, and effects of LGD-4033… J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2013. PMID 22459616 (cited for class identification only; no human-outcome claims in this post).
- Thevis M, et al. Characterization of a non-approved selective androgen receptor modulator drug candidate… Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2015. PMID 26044265.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 44137686, Vk-5211 / LGD-4033. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/44137686.
LGD-4033 is a documented nonsteroidal SARM-class reference compound. For formats and certificates, use the product page.