Which DNA and RNA bases contain a carbonyl group?W

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The discussion centers on identifying DNA and RNA bases that contain a carbonyl group and primary amines. Participants clarify that adenine, guanine, and cytosine are primary amines, while guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil contain carbonyl groups. There is confusion regarding the definition of a carbonyl group, with some participants mistakenly conflating it with carboxyl groups. The correct definition of a carbonyl group is emphasized as a carbon atom double-bonded to oxygen, without additional hydrogen or hydroxyl groups. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of understanding chemical definitions for accurate identification of nucleic acid components.
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which DNA and RNA bases contain a carbonyl group?
Which DNA and RNA bases are primary amines?

Thanks for any help
 
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List the bases then take a look at their structural formulas.
 


i did that a came up with adenine, guanine, and cytosine as primary amines
but didnt get any with a carbonyl group? that can't be right tho
 


What is carbonyl group?
 


isnt it a carbon with a double bonded O, an OH and an H on each side
 


What you described is a formic acid (H-(C=O)-OH in SMILES). You are probably mistaking carbonyl for carboxyl.
 


so.. adenine, guanine, and cytosine are primary amines

& a carbonyl group is a Carbon with a double bonded O..so gaunine cytosine, thymine, uracil contain a carbonyl group...

CORRECT??
 


Borek said:
What you described is a formic acid (H-(C=O)-OH in SMILES). You are probably mistaking carbonyl for carboxyl.

No, wwwaazup is correct in calling it a carbonyl group. S/he's not describing formic acid. S/he's describing the functional group on a nucleic acid.

wwwaazup said:
so.. adenine, guanine, and cytosine are primary amines

& a carbonyl group is a Carbon with a double bonded O..so gaunine cytosine, thymine, uracil contain a carbonyl group...

CORRECT??
Yes, those are correct. You probably could have figured this out pretty easily on your own, since all it took was looking at the picture in your book, or looking in your book or lecture notes for the definition of a carbonyl group so you know what you're looking for. Putting more effort into finding those explanations on your own before coming here for help will help you to understand what you're learning better.
 


Moonbear said:
No, wwwaazup is correct in calling it a carbonyl group. S/he's not describing formic acid. S/he's describing the functional group on a nucleic acid.

I can be missing something, or can be my English fails me, but I think you are wrong.

wwwaazup said:
isnt it a carbon with a double bonded O, an OH and an H on each side

carbonyl.png


First thing on the left is a carbonyl group. Just carbon, double bond and oxygen. No H on the side (as in aldehydes), no OH on the side (as in carboxylic acids). No both on both sides (as in formic acid).

Assuming that wwwaazup definition is OK, it requires that carbonyl is connected to either H or OH (or both). If so, none of the bases contain this kind of atom arrangement, as in all cases C=O is connected to either carbon and/or nitrogen atoms.

Proper definition of carbonyl should mention only carbon, oxygen and double bond. That's how it is defined in organic chemistry books.
 
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