Q35E - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

Isocitric acid, an intermediate in the citric acid cycle of food metabolism, has the systematic name (2R,3S)-3-carboxy-2-hydroxypentane-dioic acid. Draw the structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The structure of isocitric acid which has the systematic name (2R,3S)-3-carboxy-2-hydroxypentane-dioic acid is

Step 1: Definition of structure

The arrangement of chemical bonds between atoms in a molecule is defined as structure

Step 2: Explanations

The name of isocitric acid shows that it has a five carbon straight chain with three carboxyl groups, one at$C_1$ other attached to${\mathrm{C}}_3$, a third one at$C_5$and a hydroxyl group on${\mathrm{C}}_2$.

When viewed from the group of lowest priority, the groups with first, second, third highest priorities are arranged in clockwise direction on${\mathrm{C}}_2$an in anticlockwise direction on${\mathrm{C}}_3$

The structure of isocitric acid which has the systematic name (2R,3S)-3-carboxy-2-hydroxypentane-dioic acid is