Abstract
The conversion of glycine into amino acids on heating at 240°C with basic manganous carbonate and alumina is investigated. Alanine, α-aminobutyric acid, norvaline, norleucine, sarcosine, N-ethylglycine, N-methylalanine, N-ethylalanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid are identified among the products of the reaction. Paper chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance are used for the analysis. A scheme for the observed transformations is presented and it is suggested that it may have been a pathway for the synthesis of amino acids from glycine under primitive Earth conditions.
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Ivanov, C.P., Slavcheva, N.N. Formation of amino acids on heating glycine with alumina. Origins Life Evol Biosphere 8, 13–19 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00930934
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00930934