Lactic Acid Structure Explained
Lactic acid, chemically known as 2-hydroxypropanoic acid, is an organic acid. Its chemical formula is $C_3H_6O_3$.
To determine the number of carbon atoms, examine the structure derived from its formula:
- The formula $C_3H_6O_3$ indicates three carbon atoms.
- The structure consists of a three-carbon chain. One carbon is part of a carboxyl group (COOH), another carbon atom is bonded to a hydroxyl group (OH) and a methyl group ($CH_3$), and the third carbon atom is part of the methyl group.
Therefore, lactic acid is classified as a three-carbon molecule.
Similar Questions
- If '+' means 'division', '-' means 'addition', '$\times$' means 'subtraction' and '$\div$' means 'multiplication', then what will be the value of the following expression?
$(\frac{5}{2} \times 2) + (3 - 1)$ - Which organic compounds have suffix 'al'?
- What is the IUPAC name of glycerol?
- In Lassaigne's test, which element is revealed by the formation of a precipitate of Prussian blue on heating part of the solution with iron (II) sulphate solution?
- Which of the following is always present in organic compounds?
- What is $C_6H_6$?
- What is the chemical formula of propane?
In which of the following processes is zinc oxide formed, which acts as a protective layer and prevents rusting?
Teflon, used as a non-stick coating in cooking utensils and in the electronic industry due to its insulating properties in wires etc., is a polymer involving carbon ________ bonding.
- Which acid was first created from inorganic materials by Hermann Kolbe in 1845?
Important Questions from Organic Chemistry
A carbon compound when heated in excess of concentrated sulphuric acid at 443K gives ethene. The compound is an________.
Plastic is not related to which of the following
The Peroxyacetyl Nitrate (PAN) is:
Which one of the following is the chemical name of heavy water ?
Which of the following alkanes contains primary ($1^\circ$), tertiary ($3^\circ$), and quaternary ($4^\circ$) carbons, but no secondary ($2^\circ$) carbons?
