Studies in Thiohydantoin Chemistry. I. Some Aspects of the Schlack-Kumpf Reaction

Abstract

An investigation has been carried out into the Schlack-Kumpf reaction, i.e., the reaction of amino acids with a mixture of acetic anhydride, acetic acid and sodium thiocyanate (occasionally ammonium thiocyanate was used). Particular emphasis was placed on the reactions with amino acids containing sensitive or functional side chains, i.e., serine, threonine , arginine , proline , lysine, histidine , cysteine , and aspartic and glutamic acids. The reaction of serine, and of certain of its O- and N-substituted derivatives, takes an unusual course to give an acetylated thiohydantoin derivative of cysteine. Correspondingly, threonine gives an acetylated thiohydantoin derivative of β- methylcysteine. Similar reactions occurred with the 3-phenylthiohydantoin derivatives of serine and of threonine to give acetylated thiohydantoin derivatives of cysteine and of β-methylcysteine respectively.