Counterpoints: a. Is base-catalyzed racemization the most favorable acid-base re
ID: 580149 • Letter: C
Question
Counterpoints: a. Is base-catalyzed racemization the most favorable acid-base reaction for natural amino acids Determine the most acidic H atom in 1 and in L-alanine. Are they the same? b. This theory relies on crystallization. Are there large solid deposits of amino acids in nature? Are amino acids more or less soluble in water than 1? In question 2b you described why crystals of one enantiomer are more favorable than crystals of a racemic mixture. Is this always the case (see McMurry, pages 161-163)? c. Provide a critical analysis of this experiment. Discuss whether or not you believe the results of this experiment. Discuss whether this is a good "proof-of-principle" experiment, and whether it can apply to natural amino acids n a prebiotic environment.Explanation / Answer
For the separation of enantimer with crystallization,
a. Yes, base catalyzed epimerisation is the most common strategies for this reaction. Most acidic hydrogen is the hydrgen on alpha-carbon atom to the carbonyl which is same in both 1 and in L-alanine.
b. Nature does have deposits of naturally occuring amino acids. Amino acids are more of less soluble in water than 1. Yes, depending on the factors like crystallization solvent, time any additive, the enantiomer resolution are very specific.
c. The experiment to some extent extablish the existence of chiral amino acids in nature. however, the subject is yet to be fully understood by other means.