Chemistry 9701 · AS & A Level · Nitrogen compounds

Nitrogen compounds — practice question

Valine (Val) and lysine (Lys) are amino acids. The isoelectric point of an amino acid is the pH at which it exists as a zwitterion. Valine has an isoelectric point of $6.0$. Lysine has an isoelectric point of $9.7$.
(a)[1]

Draw the structure of valine at $\text{pH }6.0$.

(b)[3]

A solution of lysine is made with $\text{pH }9.7$. Dilute sulfuric acid is added slowly until the pH of the solution reaches $1.0$. The sulfuric acid reacts with lysine to form different organic ions that are not present in significant concentrations at $\text{pH }9.7$. Draw the structures of three of the organic ions that are produced during the addition of sulfuric acid in the boxes. Draw the organic ion present at $\text{pH }1.0$ in box C.

(c)[2]

Draw the structure of the dipeptide Val-Lys. The peptide bond should be shown in full.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 6-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: correct amino acid zwitterion drawn

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