Question

$\alpha$ - amino acid when heated with NaOH/ Cao forms:
A. $\alpha$, $\beta$-unsaturated acid
B. $\alpha$, $\beta$-unsaturated amine
C. carboxylic acid
D. amine

Answer 1

For this problem, firstly we have to study the general formula of amino acid and then we have written the complete reaction between the α - amino acid and soda-lime or the mixture of sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide.

Complete Step-by-step answer:
- In the given question, we have to write the correct product which is formed when α - amino acid and soda-lime react with each other.
- As we know that soda lime is a mixture which consists of two molecules that is sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide is generally used absorbent.
- Because it can absorb all the toxic gases when used in masks and gives pure and toxic-free air for inhaling.
- Now, when - amino acid is heated with sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide then it undergoes the decarboxylation process.
- In the decarboxylation process, the removal of the carboxylic group that is -COOH takes place.
- The balanced chemical reaction is shown below:
$\text{RCH(COOH)N}{{\text{H}}_{2}}\text{ + 2NaOH }\to \text{ RC}{{\text{H}}_{2}}\text{N}{{\text{H}}_{2}}\text{ + N}{{\text{a}}_{2}}\text{C}{{\text{O}}_{3}}\text{ + }{{\text{H}}_{2}}\text{O}$
- So, as we can see that after the removal of amine and along with it, sodium carbonate and water is also released.
- So, the main product formed is known as an amine.

Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Note: Basically, the amino acid is an organic compound which is made up of a basic functional group such as amine, an acidic group such as carboxylic acid and an organic group R which is different in every amino acid. A long chain of amino acid combines to form a protein.