Draw three-dimensional representations of the following amino acids.
(a) L-phenylalanine

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure of l-phenylalanine: It is an amino acid with a central alpha carbon (Cα) bonded to four groups: an amino group (-NH₂), a carboxylic acid group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom (H), and a phenyl group (-CH₂-C₆H₅).
2. Determine the stereochemistry: The 'l-' designation indicates that the amino acid is in the L-configuration, which corresponds to the S-configuration for most amino acids (except cysteine). This means the groups around the alpha carbon should be arranged in a specific 3D orientation.
3. Draw the backbone in 3D: Place the alpha carbon (Cα) at the center. Draw the carboxylic acid group (-COOH) pointing downward, the amino group (-NH₂) pointing upward, and the hydrogen atom (H) pointing backward (into the plane, represented by a dashed wedge).
4. Add the side chain: Attach the phenyl group (-CH₂-C₆H₅) to the alpha carbon. The -CH₂ group should point forward (out of the plane, represented by a solid wedge), and the phenyl ring (C₆H₅) extends from the -CH₂ group.
5. Verify the stereochemistry: Ensure that the groups are arranged in the correct L-configuration by assigning priorities to the substituents around the alpha carbon and applying the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP) rules to confirm the S-configuration.

Key Concepts

Amino Acids Structure

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid consists of a central carbon atom (the alpha carbon) bonded to an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a variable side chain (R group) that determines the specific properties of the amino acid. Understanding this structure is essential for visualizing and drawing amino acids in three dimensions.

Chirality in Amino Acids

Most amino acids, except glycine, are chiral, meaning they exist in two enantiomeric forms that are mirror images of each other. The 'L' and 'D' designations refer to the orientation of the amino group in relation to the carboxyl group. L-phenylalanine, specifically, is the naturally occurring form used in proteins, and recognizing chirality is crucial for accurately representing its three-dimensional structure.

Three-Dimensional Molecular Representation

Three-dimensional representations of molecules, such as amino acids, can be depicted using various models, including ball-and-stick and space-filling models. These representations help illustrate the spatial arrangement of atoms and the overall geometry of the molecule. For l-phenylalanine, understanding how to depict its side chain and the orientation of functional groups is vital for accurate visualization.