Amino decomposition

The amino-acids are colourless, crystalline substances which melt with decomposition. They are mostly soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol. 

The melting points of the derivatives of a number of amino acids are collected in Table 111,132. Most a-amino acids decompose on heating so that the melting points would be more accurately described as decomposition points the latter vary somewhat with the rate of heating and the figures given are those obtained upon rapid heating. 

Some 2-halogeno-5-nitrothiazoles and 2-nitro-5-halogenothiazoles are known. 2-Halogeno-5-nitrothiazoles can be prepared by a Sandmeyer reaction from 2-amino-5-nitrothiazole (1, 85), while 2-nitro-5-halo-genothiazoles can be analogously prepared by decomposition of dia-zonium salts arising from 2-amino-5-halogenothiazoles in presence of nitrite anion (82, 84). 

Other Nitrogen Compounds. The basis of the sophisticated nitrogen compounds Hsted in Table 10 is the reaction of formaldehyde with amino compounds. A significant amount of Hterature details investigation of the mechanism of action, particularly whether or not the antimicrobial activity depends on decomposition to formaldehyde (40—42). These compounds tend to have substantial water solubiUty and are more effective against bacteria than fungi and yeasts. Key markets for these compounds are metalworking fluids, cosmetics, and in-can preservation of paints (see Alkanolamines Amines, fatty amines). 

The deterruination of amino acids in proteins requires pretreatment by either acid or alkaline hydrolysis. However, L-tryptophan is decomposed by acid, and the racemi2ation of several amino acids takes place during alkaline hydrolysis. Moreover, it is very difficult to confirm the presence of cysteine in either case. The use of methanesulfonic acid (18) and mercaptoethanesulfonic acid (19) as the protein hydroly2ing reagent to prevent decomposition of L-tryptophan and L-cysteine is recommended. En2ymatic hydrolysis of proteins has been studied (20). 

Both urea— and melamine—formaldehyde resins are of low toxicity. In the uncured state, the amino resin contains some free formaldehyde that could be objectionable. However, uncured resins have a very unpleasant taste that would discourage ingestion of more than trace amounts. The molded plastic, or the cured resin on textiles or paper may be considered nontoxic. Combustion or thermal decomposition of the cured resins can evolve toxic gases, such as formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, and oxides of nitrogen. 

The principal pathway for the decomposition of aspartame begins with the cleavage of the ester bond, which may or may not be accompanied by cyclization (Eig. 2). The resultant diketopipera2ine and/or dipeptide can be further hydroly2ed into individual amino acids (qv). 

Fig. 2. Decomposition of aspartame to diketopipera2ine and/or aspartyl-phenylalanine and then to the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine (22).

A significant difference between pseudoirreversible inhibitors and mechanism-based inactivators is the reversibiUty of the inactivation. A complete evaluation of the mechanism involved would require evidence not only for the covalent enzyme-inhibitor complex, but also for its decomposition products and its rate of reactivation. It is often difficult to identify the active site amino acid residue covalently linked to the inhibitor because of the instabiUty of the complex. 

A novel method for preparing amino heterocycles is illustrated by the preparation of 2-amino-5-methylthiophene (159). In this approach vinyl azides act as NH2 equivalents in reaction with aromatic or heteroaromatic lithium derivatives (82TL699). A further variant for the preparation of amino heterocycles is by azide reduction the latter compounds are obtained by reaction of lithio derivatives with p- toluenesulfonyl azide and decomposition of the resulting lithium salt with tetrasodium pyrophosphate (Scheme 66) (82JOC3177). 

Photolysis of 3-phenyl-2,l-benzisoxazole in 48% HBr produced reduction and substitution products via a proposed triplet state nitrenium ion intermediate (71HCA2111). Photolytic decomposition of 5-bromo-3-phenyl-2,l-benzisoxazole in 48% HBr gave 2-amino-5-bromoacetophenone and 2-amino-3,5-dibromoacetophenone (Scheme 18). A nitrenium ion intermediate was also proposed for the photolytic decomposition of 3-phenyl-2,l-benzisoxazole in concentrated HCl (Scheme 19) (7IHCA2111). 

Amino acids have high melting or decomposition points and are best examined for purity by paper or thin layer chromatography. The spots are developed with ninhydrin. Customary methods for the purification of small quantities of amino acids obtained from natural sources (i.e. l-5g) are ion-exchange chromatography (see Chapter 1). For general treatment of amino acids see Greenstein and Winitz [The Amino Acids, Vols 1-3, J.Wiley Sons, New York 1961] and individual amino acids in Chapters 4 and 6. 

Benzyioxycarbonyi chioride (Cbz-Ci, benzyi cbioroformate) [501-53-1] M 170.6, b 103 /20mm, d 1.195, n 1.5190. Commercial material is better than 95% pure and may contain some toluene, benzyl alcohol, benzyl chloride and HCl. After long storage (e.g. two years at 4 , Greenstein and Winitz [The Chemistry of the Amino Acids Voi 2 p. 890, J Wiley and Sons NY, 1961] recommended that the liquid should be flushed with a stream of dry air, filtered and stored over sodium sulfate to remove CO2 and HCl which are formed by decomposition. It may further be distilled from an oil bath at a temperature below 85 because Thiel and Dent [Annalen 301 257 1898] stated that benzyioxycarbonyi chloride decarboxylates to benzyl chloride slowly at 100 and vigorously at 155 . Redistillation at higher vac below 85 yields material which shows no other peaks than those of benzyioxycarbonyi chloride by NMR spectroscopy. LACHRYMATORY and TOXIC. 

This reaction is commonly achieved by diazotization of the amine in fluoro-boric acid, followed by decomposition of the diazonium salt (Schiemann reaction).Thus, l-amino-4-methylestra-l,3,5(10)-trien-17-one (50) is converted to the fluoro derivative (51) in 29% yield. The synthesis of 3-fluoroestra-l,3,5(10)-triene-17-one (55) from estrone proceeds via (52) and (53)... 

It has been concluded from an estimate of Ki and K2 that the uncharged amino alcohol as well as the dipolar structure are present in small concentrations (24). The decomposition is strongly retarded as the pH is lowered and this phenomenon has been explained by assuming the zwitterions to be the active intermediates [Eq. (10)]. 

The differenee in reaction rates of the amino alcohols to isobutyraldehyde and the secondary amine in strong acidic solutions is determined by the reactivity as well as the concentration of the intermediate zwitterions [Fig. 2, Eq. (10)]. Since several of the equilibrium constants of the foregoing reactions are unknown, an estimate of the relative concentrations of these dipolar species is difficult. As far as the reactivity is concerned, the rate of decomposition is expected to be higher, according as the basicity of the secondary amines is lower, since the necessary driving force to expel the amine will increase with increasing basicity of the secondary amine. The kinetics and mechanism of the hydrolysis of enamines demonstrate that not only resonance in the starting material is an important factor [e.g., if... 

Formylation of the amino aldehyde, and subsequent treatment of the amide (46) with ammonia enabled Armarego to prepare pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine (1). This compound was also obtained by the decomposition of the tosylhydrazino compound (47). ... 

Decomposition of the diazonium salt of 2-amino-iV-methyl-iV-3 -pyridylaniline (205) in aqueous acid solution with copper powder at room temperature gave overall yields of cyclized products consisting of a mixture of i id-iV-methyl-3-carboline (206) (47.5%) and ind-N-methyl-jS-carboUne (207) (25.5%), in agreement with the proposed homolytic character of the reaction under these conditions. This constituted the first unambiguous synthesis of a simple 3-carboline derivative. 

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