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PCAT Chemical Processes – GABA IUPAC Name
- by
- Apr 19, 2018
- PCAT Question of the Day
The structure of GABA, a neurotransmitter, is shown below:
What is the IUPAC name for GABA?
A. 4-amino-1-carboxypropane
B. 4-aminobutanoic acid
C. 3-aminopropanoic acid
D. gamma-aminobutyric acid
Click for Explanation
B is correct. GABA has a four-carbon carboxylic acid backbone with an amino group at the fourth position (C-1 is the carboxyl carbon), making it 4-aminobutanoic acid.
The carboxy- prefix is only used when a compound contains more than one carboxylic acid group (Choice A). The carbon chain contains 4 carbons (butan-), not 3 carbons (propan-), which is why Choice C is incorrect. IUPAC nomenclature does not use Greek letters (Choice D).
GABA has a four-carbon carboxylic acid backbone with an amino group at the fourth position (C-1 is the carboxyl carbon), making it 4-aminobutanoic acid.
The carboxy- prefix is only used when a compound contains more than one carboxylic acid group (Choice A). The carbon chain contains 4 carbons (butan-), not 3 carbons (propan-), which is why Choice C is incorrect. IUPAC nomenclature does not use Greek letters (Choice D).
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