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An Investigation Of Amino Acid Decomposition, Jack H. Frost, E. Winston Grundmeier

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Amino acid decarboxylation studies generally show that extraneous reactions accompany CO, formation, especially at high temperature and when metal ion catalysts are used. In the present study some of these reactions are investigated in the reaction system, a- or ,a-amino acid and CuSO, at 130-155° C. Histidine, a- and .B -alanine, glycerine and norvaline were each studied for determination of products. The extent of formation of the products, NH,, CO,, aliphatic amines and Cu metal, was determined quantitatively. A near l: l correspondence in NH,:CO2 exists for the amino acids studied. No correspondence could be detected between Cu metal product …