Table of contents

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS

Diacid Nomenclature

Organic Chemistry

22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS

Diacid Nomenclature

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3: minutes

Problem 48b

Textbook Question

Draw a structure for each of the following:
b. a-methylmalonic acid

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the parent compound: Malonic acid is a dicarboxylic acid with the structure HOOC-CH2-COOH. It contains two carboxylic acid groups (-COOH) attached to a central methylene group (-CH2-).

Understand the substitution: The prefix 'α-methyl' indicates that a methyl group (-CH3) is attached to the α-carbon. In malonic acid, the α-carbon is the central carbon (the one bonded to both carboxylic acid groups).

Modify the structure: Replace one of the hydrogens on the central methylene group (-CH2-) of malonic acid with a methyl group (-CH3). This results in the structure HOOC-C(CH3)-COOH.

Verify the structure: Ensure that the central carbon is bonded to two carboxylic acid groups (-COOH) and one methyl group (-CH3), with the remaining bond being a hydrogen atom.

Draw the final structure: Represent the molecule with the correct connectivity and geometry, ensuring all atoms have the appropriate number of bonds and the functional groups are clearly shown.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Carboxylic Acids

Carboxylic acids are organic compounds characterized by the presence of one or more carboxyl groups (-COOH). They are known for their acidic properties due to the ability of the carboxyl group to donate a proton (H+) in solution. Understanding the structure and reactivity of carboxylic acids is essential for drawing compounds like a-methylmalonic acid, which contains two carboxyl groups.

Stereochemistry

Stereochemistry refers to the study of the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules and how this affects their chemical behavior. In the case of a-methylmalonic acid, the presence of chiral centers can lead to different stereoisomers, which may have distinct properties. Recognizing the importance of stereochemistry is crucial when drawing and interpreting the structure of organic compounds.

Functional Groups

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. In a-methylmalonic acid, the key functional groups include the carboxyl groups and a methyl group. Identifying and understanding these functional groups is vital for accurately representing the structure and predicting the reactivity of the compound.

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