The increasing order of pKa of the following amino acids in aqueous solution is:

Question:

The increasing order of pKa of the following amino acids in aqueous solution is:

Gly Asp Lys Arg

  1. Asp $<$ Gly $<$ Arg $<$ Lys

  2. Gly $<$ Asp $<$ Arg $<$ Lys

  3. Asp $<$ Gly $<$ Lys $<$ Arg

  4. Arg $<$ Lys $<$ Gly $<$ Asp


Correct Option:

Solution:

Structure of the given $\alpha$-amino acids are:

Here, aspartic acid is an acidic and glycine is a neutral amino acid while lysine and arginine are basic amino acids. Also, arginine is more basic due to the stronger basic functional groups.

$\therefore$ The order of $p K a$ value is directly proportional to the basic strength of amino acids, i.e. Arg $>$ Lys $>$Gly > Asp.

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