Chapter 14, Problem 14.32EP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The configuration of the β-hydroxyacyl CoA formed by hydration during a turn of the β-oxidation pathway has to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Theβ-oxidation pathway is defined as a repetitive series of four biochemical reactions in which acyl CoA is degraded to acetyl CoA by the removal of two carbon atoms at a time. NADH and FADH₂ are also produced in this pathway.

The configuration is defined as the spatial arrangement of atoms or groups in a molecule. The stereoisomers have the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of atoms in the three-dimensional space. The D and L notation describes the configurational stereochemistry of molecules.

In the D isomer, the hydroxy (-OH) group present on the farthest chiral centre from the carbonyl is present on the right side while in the L isomer, the hydroxy group present on the farthest chiral centre from the carbonyl is present on the left side.