Are the following molecules α-amino acids? Why?

• A. i. The molecule is an α-amino acid because it has an amino group connected to the α-position relative to the carbonyl carbon.ii. The molecule is not an α-amino acid because it does not have an amino group connected to the α-position relative to the carbonyl carbon.iii. The molecule is not an α-amino acid because it does not have a carboxylic group.
• B. i. The molecule is not an α-amino acid because it does not have a hydroxyl group connected to the α-position relative to the carbonyl carbon.ii. The molecule is an α-amino acid because it has an amino group connected to the α-position relative to the carbonyl carbon.iii. The molecule is not an α-amino acid because it does not have a carboxylic group.
• C. i. The molecule is an α-amino acid because it has an amino group connected to the α-position relative to the carbonyl carbon.ii. The molecule is an α-amino acid because it has an amino group connected to the α-position relative to the carbonyl carbon.iii. The molecule is an α-amino acid because it has an amino group connected to the α-position relative to the carbonyl carbon.
• D. i. The molecule is not an α-amino acid because it does not have a hydroxyl group connected to the α-position relative to the carbonyl carbon.ii. The molecule is not an α-amino acid because it does not have an amino group connected to the α-position relative to the carbonyl carbon.iii. The molecule is not an α-amino acid because it does not have a carboxylic group.

Answer: (A)