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Prilocaine is used as an anaesthetic in dentistry - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 2 - 2020 - Paper 2
Question 2
Prilocaine is used as an anaesthetic in dentistry. Figure 3 shows the structure of prilocaine. Draw a circle around any chiral centre(s) in Figure 3. Identify the ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Prilocaine is used as an anaesthetic in dentistry - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 2 - 2020 - Paper 2
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Draw the structures of the two organic products formed from the complete hydrolysis of prilocaine in acidic conditions
Answer
The two organic products from the hydrolysis of prilocaine in acidic conditions are:
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A protonated amino acid derived from the amine functional group of prilocaine.
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An acid formed from the ester group.
Step 4
Explain how a structural feature of this enzyme enables it to catalyse the hydrolysis of isomer G but not the hydrolysis of isomer F
Answer
The enzyme has an active site that is specifically shaped to fit isomer G, allowing it to bind effectively and catalyse its hydrolysis. The structural feature that allows this specificity is likely due to the arrangement of functional groups that facilitate binding to only G, while isomer F does not fit properly in the active site.