R-alanine and S-alanine are two stereoisomers of alanine, an amino acid. Stereoisomers are molecules that have the same chemical formula and bond structure but differ in the arrangement of their atoms in space.
The main difference between R-alanine and S-alanine lies in the configuration of the molecule around the chiral carbon center, which is a carbon atom bonded to four different groups. In R-alanine, the hydrogen atom and the carboxyl group (-COOH) are on opposite sides of the chiral carbon center, whereas in S-alanine, they are on the same side.
This difference in configuration affects the physical and chemical properties of the two stereoisomers, including their solubility, reactivity, and biological activity. (S)-Alanine (L-alanine) is the amino acid used i protein synthesis.
In summary, R-alanine and S-alanine are two stereoisomers of alanine that differ in the arrangement of their atoms around the chiral carbon center, resulting in differences in physical and chemical properties.
IUPAC Name: 2-aminopropanoic acid