Why amino acids are "polyprotic species". Paragraph form not explaining with structures.
a)
First, let us define polyprotic species, which means "many protons". They can either accept and donate Hydrogens in their composition.
Note that an amino acid is nothing more than a:
- Amino gropu NH2--> Can accept H+ ions to form NH3+
- Acid group COOH --> can donat eH+ ions to form COO-
therefore
they must be polyprotic, meaning they can either donate/accepts multiple Hydrogens
i.e.
at low pH, there is plenty of H+ ions in solution, so
COO- charges as COOH
and NH2 charges as NH3+
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