Question

What will be the behaviour of the compound having the molecular formula ${\mathrm{NH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{COOH}$:?

Answer 1

Zwitter ion:

• "A zwitter ion is a dipolar ion which means it has both positive and negative charge."
• Amino acid known as a zwitterion has at least two functional groups, one of which is positively charged, the other negatively charged, and the overall charge is zero.

Behavior of ${\mathrm{NH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{COOH}$:

• It is an amino acid named Glycine .
• The ${\mathrm{NH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{COOH}$ exists as Zwitter ions having both positive and negative charges.
• It can exist in the solution as zwitter ions ${}^{+}\mathrm{NH}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{COO}}^{-}$.
• In an acidic medium, it becomes ${}^{+}\mathrm{NH}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{COOH}$ due to the addition of ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ion.
• In a basic medium, it becomes ${\mathrm{NH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{COO}}^{-}$ due to the removal of ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ion.
• Therefore, it can behave both as acid and a base.