IT'dl-Phenylalanine (IV) was identified by its decomposition temperature, by comparison of the microscopic appearance of its crystals with published4 photomicrographs of dl- phenylalanine, and by the melting point of its benzoyl derivative V. The reaction of freshly prepared aqueous basic solutions of Aryl CH2CH (CN) 2 with cold aqueous solutions of sodium hypochlorite or sodium hypobromite gave the series of compounds shown in ...