Q28-4P - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

Show how uracil can form strong hydrogen bonds to adenine.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The statement for how uracil can form strong hydrogen bonds with adenine can be formed between the electronegative atom of uracil oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) to the adenine. And second, hydrogen bonding between the hydrogen (H) atom of uracil and nitrogen (N) to the adenine.

Compounds form strong hydrogen bonds

Two compounds form strong hydrogen bonds between uracil and adenine.

Uracil                                                                            Adenine

Pairing of uracil and adenine via two hydrogen bonds between the bases

The oxygen atom in uracil acts as a hydrogen bond acceptor because of their lone electron pairs. The hydrogen attached to the nitrogen atom acts as the donor for the hydrogen bond. The hydrogen attached to the nitrogen atom will act as a donor for the hydrogen bond in adenine. Thus, the donors and acceptors for the hydrogen bond will give the final structure. These should be close to the sugar (R) groups.

The dotted line indicates the non-covalent attractive force between the hydrogen bond donor and acceptor.