Amino Acids .-NH2 on the carbon next to -COOH. Glycine,NH2-CH2-COOH,is simplest. With-R side chain,molecule is chiral. Most natural amino acids are L-amino acids,related to L-(-)-glyceraldehyde. Direction of optical rotation,(+)or () must be determined experimentally. > Chapter 24 Chapter 24 4 Amino Acids • -NH2 on the carbon next to -COOH. • Glycine, NH2 -CH2 -COOH, is simplest. • With -R side chain, molecule is chiral. • Most natural amino acids are L-amino acids, related to L-(-)-glyceraldehyde. • Direction of optical rotation, (+) or (-), must be determined experimentally. =>