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Organic Chemistry and Analysis

Amino acids, their reactions, and amides

  • 2 things to know
  • Components 02 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on the general formula of an α-amino acid, its reactions with alkali, acid and alcohols, and the structures of primary and secondary amides.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Process

What happens to the carboxylic acid group of an amino acid with an alkali, what forms, and how does an amino acid form an ester with an alcohol?

Key term

What is produced when the amine group of an amino acid reacts with an acid, and what are the structures of a primary and a secondary amide?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is the general formula for an α-amino acid, and what does the R represent?

    Model answer

    RCH(NH₂)COOH, where R represents a variable side chain and the amino group is bonded to the carbon adjacent to the carboxylic acid group.

  2. 2

    When an amino acid reacts with an alkali, what happens to the carboxylic acid group's proton?

    Model answer

    The carboxylic acid donates a proton to the hydroxide ion.

  3. 3

    What products form when the carboxylic acid group of an amino acid reacts with an alkali?

    Model answer

    A carboxylate anion (COO⁻) and water are formed.

  4. 4

    What type of reaction occurs when an amino acid reacts with an alcohol to form an ester?

    Model answer

    A condensation reaction between the -COOH group and the -OH group of the alcohol.

  5. 5

    What small molecule is eliminated during the esterification of an amino acid with an alcohol?

    Model answer

    Water is eliminated.

  6. 6

    What functional group linkage forms when an amino acid reacts with an alcohol?

    Model answer

    An ester linkage (-COO-) forms.

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AThe first step is Cl• + O₃ → ClO• + O₂.
BThe second step is ClO• + O → Cl• + O₂.
CThe overall equation is O₃ + O → 2O₂.

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In ClO⁻, chlorine has oxidation number +1.
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