Question

Several \(\beta\)-amino acids exist. There is a unit of \(\beta\)-alanine, for example, contained within the structure of coenzyme A (Problem 25.34). Write the structural formula of \(\beta\)-alanine.

Short answer

Answer: The structural formula of β-alanine is: H | H-C-C-C-OH | O | H | H-N-H H

Step-by-step solution

Draw the carbon backbone

First, we draw the carbon backbone of β-alanine. It consists of a carboxyl group (COOH) and two other carbon atoms. H | H-C-C-C-OH | O

Identify the second carbon atom

To draw the β-amino acid, we need to identify the second carbon atom away from the carboxyl group. In this case, the second carbon atom is the middle one between the carboxyl group and the hydrogen atom. H | H-C-C-C-OH | O

Add the amino group to the second carbon atom

Now, we add the amino group (NH2) to the second carbon atom away from the carboxyl group. H | H-C-C-C-OH | O * | H | * H-N-H H The final structural formula of β-alanine is: H | H-C-C-C-OH | O | H | H-N-H H