Tosyl-a-amino Acids. III. The Acid-catalysed Degradation of Tosyl-α-amino Acids and Derivatives

Abstract

Tosyl-α-amino acids, their chlorides and esters, evolve carbon monoxide when dissolved in concentrated sulphuric acid. Toluene-p-sulphonamide and a carbonyl compound are produced when water is added to the resulting solutions. The ease of degradation depends upon the nature of the substituents at the α-carbon atom. The relationship of these to similar degradations of substituted α-amino acids is discussed.