MCAT Organic Chemistry Question 13: Answer and Explanation
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Question: 13
13. Pyruvic acid, one of the end products of glycolysis, is commonly called acetylformic acid. Based on its common name, the structure of pyruvic acid must be:
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
We can use the name acetylformic acid to figure out what our functional groups are. The prefix acet– refers to a two-carbon unit with one carbon in a carbonyl group—think of acetic acid, acetic anhydride, or acetaldehyde. The carbonyl carbon is the point of attachment to another functional group. Formic acid is a single-carbon carboxylic acid. Therefore, acetylformic acid is an acetyl group directly attached to formic acid, as shown in choice (A). Choice (B) shows acetic acid, or vinegar; choice (C) shows glucose; and choice (D) shows formic acid.