Amino acids

Alpha amino acid

• has both acidic COOH and basic NH2

• similar reactions to carboxylic acids and amines

Reactions of amine group

• basic

• reacts with acid to form salts

• 

Reactions of carboxylate group

• reacts with alkalis to form salts

• reacts with aqueous alkalis

  • forms salt and water

  • 

• reacts with alcohols to form esters

  • heating with an alcohol in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid

  • COOH group is esterified

  •