The Journal of Organic Chemistry

Effect of the side chain on the racemization of amino acids in aqueous solution

GG Smith, GV Reddy

Index: Smith, Grant Gill; Reddy, G. Vanita Journal of Organic Chemistry, 1989 , vol. 54, # 19 p. 4529 - 4535

Full Text: HTML

Citation Number: 55

Abstract

The rate of racemization of 13 amino acids possessing hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxy, carboalkoxy, alkyl, aryl, and thioether side chains were compared. Reaction conditions were identical for all amino acids studied. Gas chromatography was used to determine the percent of D isomer present. Hydroxy amino acids racemized most rapidly, but conversion to an ether function reduced the rate considerably. The increased racemization rate of ...