Question

The 20 standard amino acids are calledα-amino acids. Certainβ-amino acids are found in nature. Draw the structure ofβ-alanine(3-amino-n-propionate).

Short answer

The structure ofalanine is shown below:

Step-by-step solution

β-amino acids

There are eight -amino acids that exist in nature. Among these, some exist in form also. The use of beta-amino acid is they help in metabolic stability. They can stay in a free state or clubbed with peptide bonds also.

Structure of β-alanine

The likely structure of -alanine is given below:

The amino group is attached two groups away from the carboxylate group. Thus, we can say amino group is in position. It is a naturally occurring amino acid without a stereocenter.