Chapter 21, Problem 102E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: Glycine not being an optically active compound is to be explained.

Concept introduction: Amino acids are defined as organic compounds which contain amine $\left({\text{-NH}}_{\text{2}}\right)$ and carboxyl $\left(\text{-COOH}\right)$ functional groups, along with a side chain (R group) attached to each amino acid. Glycine is an amino acid that consists of a single hydrogen atom in its side chain with a molecular formula of ${\text{NH}}_{\text{2}}{\text{CH}}_{\text{2}}\text{COOH}$. Optically active compounds are those consist of a chiral centre and rotate a plane of polarized light in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.

To determine: The explanation of glycine for not having an optically active compound.