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Chemistry Question 70 – JEE-MAIN 2026

Which of the following amino acid will give violet coloured complex with neutral ferric chloride solution ?

Recall the specific functional groups that react with neutral ferric chloride solution to produce colored complexes.

Step 1: Understand the Ferric Chloride Test✦ Active

The neutral ferric chloride test is a qualitative test used to detect the presence of phenolic hydroxyl groups (OH directly attached to an aromatic ring). Phenols react with neutral ferric chloride solution to form characteristic colored complexes, often violet, blue, or green.

Step 2: Analyze Amino Acid Structures○ Expand

Examine the side chains of the given amino acids:

1. **Threonine:** Contains an aliphatic hydroxyl group (CH(OH)CH3). This is not a phenol.

2. **Serine:** Contains an aliphatic hydroxyl group (CH2OH). This is not a phenol.

3. **Tyrosine:** Contains a phenolic hydroxyl group (CH2C6H4OH). The hydroxyl group is directly attached to a benzene ring.

4. **Cysteine:** Contains a thiol group (CH2SH). This is neither a hydroxyl group nor a phenol.

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Recall the specific functional groups present in the side chains of common amino acids.

Step 3: Identify the Correct Amino Acid○ Expand

Based on the analysis, only Tyrosine possesses a phenolic hydroxyl group in its side chain. Therefore, Tyrosine will give a violet-colored complex with neutral ferric chloride solution.

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