Question

The table below shows the rate constants and Arrhenius parameters for the three different forms (Cation, Zwitterion, and Anion).

Table 2. The rate constant and Arrhenius parameters of cationic form, zwitterion, and anionic format 275 bar

	Cation	Zwitterion	Anion
Rate constant (330°C)	14.04	33.92	16.51
Ea (kJ × mol-1)	241.02	183.57	332.84
ln A (s-1)	43.80	33.24	62.30

QUESTION 3: What conclusions can you draw from the data above? Explain how the data supports your conclusions. Be sure to consider alanine form and activation energy.

Answer 1

This shows the form in which alanine will exist at 330 degrees. This is because alanine can basically exist in three forms.

1) Cationic

2) Anionic

3) Zwitter Ion

The activation energy for the zwitterionic form is the least and also the rate constant is highest for the zwitterionic form. This means that it is easiest to form the zwitterion form at this temperature. Also, it is the fastest and hence both thermodynamically and kinetically the formation of the zwitterion form is favored. Therefore, the data explains that the most stable form at this temperature for alanine is the zwitterionic form.

The least stable form is the anionic form at this temperature because of an abnormally high activation energy barrier.

In the image below, all three forms of alanine have been drawn.