Which end of glycine would be more basic?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Avi_R
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Basicity
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the basicity of the ends of glycine, specifically comparing the hydroxyl (OH) end and the amino (NH2) end in terms of protonation. It emphasizes the need to analyze the protonation potential of similar compounds, using analogies like CH3-OH versus CH3-NH2 and H2O versus NH3. The conversation highlights that understanding which end is more basic can be achieved without memorizing pKa values by recognizing functional groups: the carboxyl group is acidic while the amino group is basic. Ultimately, the amino end of glycine is identified as the more basic site, being more likely to accept a proton. This analysis aids in understanding the behavior of amino acids in biochemical contexts.
Avi_R
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
I had a question given, regarding the basicity of certain sites on a molecule. For example, glycine:
glycine_min.gif


How would you determine whether the OH end or the NH2 end would be more "basic", or the first to get protonated?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Avi_R said:
I had a question given, regarding the basicity of certain sites on a molecule. For example, glycine:
glycine_min.gif


How would you determine whether the OH end or the NH2 end would be more "basic", or the first to get protonated?
Make an analogy and think about

1. CH3-OH
2. CH3-NH2

Which is more protonable?
In case you didn't find the answer, try with

1. H-OH = H2O
2. H-NH2 = NH3

Which is more protonable?
 
What I'd like to know is how do I determine which is more protonable, without memorizing pka's.
 
For the amino acids, one end has a carboxyl group (ie COOH) and the other end has the amino group. So, in this case, it's easy to figure out which end is acidic (ie, loses H+) and which end is basic (ie, accepts H+).
 
Thread 'Confusion regarding a chemical kinetics problem'

Thread 'Confusion regarding a chemical kinetics problem'

TL;DR Summary: cannot find out error in solution proposed. [![question with rate laws][1]][1] Now the rate law for the reaction (i.e reaction rate) can be written as: $$ R= k[N_2O_5] $$ my main question is, WHAT is this reaction equal to? what I mean here is, whether $$k[N_2O_5]= -d[N_2O_5]/dt$$ or is it $$k[N_2O_5]= -1/2 \frac{d}{dt} [N_2O_5] $$ ? The latter seems to be more apt, as the reaction rate must be -1/2 (disappearance rate of N2O5), which adheres to the stoichiometry of the...
View full post »

Thread 'Prove that evolution is constant (Provide at least two arguments to support your position)'

I don't get how to argue it. i can prove: evolution is the ability to adapt, whether it's progression or regression from some point of view, so if evolution is not constant then animal generations couldn`t stay alive for a big amount of time because when climate is changing this generations die. but they dont. so evolution is constant. but its not an argument, right? how to fing arguments when i only prove it.. analytically, i guess it called that (this is indirectly related to biology, im...
View full post »

Similar threads

Solve Amino Acid Titration for OH- to Raise pH to 9.7
Replies
7
Views
7K
Inverted Protein: Does Sequence Matter?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Chemistry Comparing methods of computing pH at equivalence point in titration
Replies
4
Views
1K
H2F+ or CH3SH2+ which is more acidic by looking at the structures?
Replies
3
Views
6K
How Do Steric Effects Influence Basicity?
Replies
3
Views
8K
Chemistry How to calculate pH at equivalence point using this alternative?
Replies
7
Views
1K
Chemistry How many bonds and pi bonds does glycine have?
Replies
6
Views
5K
How Can Chromatography Techniques Be Used to Isolate Specific Biomolecules?
Replies
1
Views
3K
Chemistry How to take into account autoprotolysis in weak base solution?
Replies
8
Views
2K
Chemistry Need Help with Bond Length Calculations of Acetylene
Replies
7
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top