How can I draw the structures of the two enantiomers of alanine?
1 Answer
Draw them as Fischer projections.
Explanation:
The easiest way is to draw them as Fischer projections.
The general formula for an amino acid is RCH(NH₂)COOH.
In alanine, R = CH₃.
You draw the Fischer projection for an amino acid in the same way as for a carbohydrate.
The main chain is vertical, with C-1 at the top. If the NH₂ group is on the left, you have an L-amino acid. If the NH₂ group is on the right, you have an R-amino acid.
So the two structures of alanine are
Note that L-alanine has the (
