The amino acid (R)-alanine is found in insect larvae. What is the Fischer projection of this amino acid?
1 Answer
Explanation:
(R)-alanine is the enantiomer of the more common L- or (S)-alanine. Their structures are below.
We need to orient the molecules so that C-2 and C-3 are in a vertical line with C-1 at the top.
H and NH₂ will be in front of the paper. COOH will be behind the paper.
The Fischer projections become
The NH₂ group in (R)-alanine ends up on the right.
