Which of these reactions are used to make amino-acids

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To evaluate which reactions are used to make amino acids, I will go option by option and connect each to known synthetic routes for amino acids.
Option: formation of an imine from an aldehyde. In the classic Strecker synthesis of amino acids, an aldehyde reacts with ammonia (or an amine) to form an imine (or iminium ion). This imine formation is the initial step that sets up the carbon-nitrogen framework needed for subsequent addition of a nucleophile. So this step is indeed used in amino-acid synthesis via Strecker chemistry.
Option: addition of phthalidmide to 2-bromomalonic ester. This describes a key step in the Gabriel synthesis of amino acids, where phthalimide is introduced to create an N-phthalimidomethyl malonate equivalent, which after hydrolysis yields an amino acid. Therefore, this reaction is used for amino-acid synthesis.
Option: addition of a nitrile to an imine. In the Strecker sequence, after forming the imine from an aldehyde, cyanide (a nitrile anion equivalent) adds to the imine to form an α-aminonitrile intermediate. This addition step is central to producing the amino group-bearing carbon skeleton that becomes an amino acid after hydrolysis. Thus, this reaction is used.
Option: hydrolysis of a nitrile. The Strecker pathway ends by hydrolyzing the nitrile to a carboxylic acid, yielding the amino acid in its classic form (the amino function is already in place from the earlier steps). Hence, nitrile hydrolysis is a needed step in amino-acid synthesis via this route.
Option: hydrolysis of phthalimide and malonic ester. This is the workup step in the Gabriel synthesis: after forming the phthalimide-derived intermediate, hydrolysis and decarboxylation release the free amino acid. Therefore, this hydrolysis is indeed used in amino-acid synthesis via the Gabriel route.
Option: all of these. When we consider the Strecker route (imine formation, nitrile addition, nitrile hydrolysis) and the Gabriel route (phthalimide malonate formation, its subsequent hydrolysis to the amino acid), every listed reaction contributes to established methods for making amino acids. 
Option: none of these. Given the connections identified above, this option is incorrect because multiple listed reactions are indeed involved in amino-acid synthesis.
In summary, each of the first five options corresponds to a step in well-known amino-acid synthesis strategies (Strecker and Gabriel), and therefore they collectively support the statement that all of these are used in amino-acid synthesis. The "none of these" choice is inconsistent with these established methods.

CHE 008B A01 SS1 2025 Lecture 16 - Synthesis of Amino-Acids

Which of these reactions are used to make amino-acids

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

A product has a selling price of $20, a contribution margin ratio of 40% and fixed cost of $120,000. To make a profit of $30,000. The number of units that must be sold is: Type the number without $ and a comma. Eg: 20000

Which of the following statement regarding cost is correct:

Under the assumptions used in cost-volume-profit analysis, as the activity increases:

The CVP and break-even analysis are supported by a range of important assumptions. Which of the following is not an assumption of the CVP:

The break-even point is that at which:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler